LIFE & CULTURE

Netflix’s ‘The White Tiger’ Tells The Story Of One Man’s Fight To Overcome Classism

Add this to your 2021 must-watch list!

Given the year we’ve had, finding something to get excited over is a little more rare. But there’s nothing quite like the excitement that builds around a new film release.

And while Netflix hasn’t let us down in the binge-watchable content department—we’re eternally grateful for The Queen’s Gambit and The Crowntheir latest production has us frantically counting down the days until a new one hits our screens.

Introducing The White Tiger.

Based on the New York Times‘ Best Seller by Indian author Aravind Adiga, The White Tiger is yet-another Academy Award contender on Netflix’s filmography that’s bound to be your next must-watch.

Starring and produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, The White Tiger follows the epic and darkly humorous tale of Balram Halwai, a rickshaw driver’s son who transforms himself from servant to self-made entrepreneur in present-day India.

Intrigued? Keep reading for everything you need to know about the film, from the plot to the cast and when you can stream it.

The White Tiger

What Is The Plot Of The White Tiger?

The White Tiger follows the story of Balram, a cunning and ambitious man who finds himself in a new job as a driver for Ashok and Pinky, a married couple who have returned to India from America.

Growing up, society only treated Balram as a servant, due to his lower social class, so as a result, he makes himself indispensable to his rich bosses. However, after a betrayal, he realises the corrupt and disingenuous lengths they’ll go to in order to save themselves without Balram.

On the verge of losing everything he’s worked for, Balram rebels against the rigged class system to form his own path.

With the tagline of “eat or get eaten up”, the film follows his triumphant ascension from the ‘poor’ social status to a phenomenally successful entrepreneur.

Starring as Ashok’s American wife, Pinky, Chopra Jones also executive produces the film, along with Ava DuVernay. According to Entertainment Weekly, Chopra Jonas said of her character, “She comes in with this completely different perspective of life as it is in a developing country. That was really interesting for me to play, considering I’m an Indian… in my work in the U.S., I haven’t done a dramatic part like that. So that was very exciting to me.”

“It’s really about a man who just wants to be free, free to pursue the totality of his life,” director Ramin Bahrani said of the story. “I think that’s something most of us understand now—a rigged system, chances that are denied, and the lengths we will go to make it in this world.”

But don’t take our word for it, check out the trailer below to see for yourself.

WATCH BELOW: The White Tiger Trailer

Who Is In The Cast Of The White Tiger?

As per every Netflix creation, the cast list is sure to have its fair share of star power. Leading the cast is Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Quantico, Isn’t It Romantic) as Pinky and newcomer Adarsh Gourav as Balram Halwai.

Joining the two are Rajkummar Rao (Trapped) as Pinky’s Husband, Ashok, Aaron Wan (Undercover) as the Premier, Perrie Kapernaros (Christmas At The Royal Hotel), Vedant Sinha (The Family Man) as Dharam and Nalneesh Neel as Vitiligo, among others. 

The White Tiger

When Can We Watch The White Tiger In Australia?

Fascinated? The White Tiger is set to land on Netflix in January 21, 2021.

Related stories