Critique of Netflix's 'The White Tiger' as Tokenistic Portrayal of Caste and Corruption

Ramin Bahrani's film 'The White Tiger,' released on Netflix in 2021, is based on Aravind Adiga's 2008 Man Booker Prize-winning book, showcasing modern India. The narrative centers on Balram (Adarsh Gourav), a chauffeur for affluent couple Ashok (Rajkummar Rao) and Pinky (Priyanka Chopra). A tragic hit-and-run involving a homeless child exposes deep-rooted corruption and caste discrimination. Balram's forced confession and Pinky's move to America underscore economic inequalities. The film critiques India's post-industrial prosperity, juxtaposing wealth with poverty. Through the 'rooster coop' metaphor, it illustrates the clash between Ashok's ambitions and Balram's realistic goals. While it portrays violence as a means for lower-caste progress, it neglects the anti-caste movement's emphasis on education and rights, culminating in Balram resorting to bribery.