Moving on up

‘The White Tiger’ a humorous, commentary-filled tale of a servant’s climb

Even as it meanders a bit, even though it can feel unfocused for some of its roughly twohour runtime, Netflix’s “The White Tiger” is a wild, thought-provoking ride. ¶ Based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Aravind Adiga, this darkly humorous critique of India’s caste system benefits from a strong performance from star Adarsh Gourav.

He portrays Balram Halwai, whose rags-toriches story will come with some very rough edges — which he suggests in his opening narration. (This narration comes in the form of a letter to the leader of China, a gimmick that never really works despite a small payoff at the end.)

Balram comes from an extremely poor family in an extremely poor area. He sees the opportunity

for a better life by becoming a servant — primarily as a driver — for Ashok (Rajkummar Rao), who has just returned home to his wealthy, corrupt family from New York with his wife, Pinky (Priyanka Chopra Jonas).

He must get the money for driving lessons from his demanding grandmother and, after obtaining the job, must send most of what he is paid back home to her.

While Ashok’s father can be a monster — he has no problem kicking the obedient Balram when he isn’t completely focused on his leg-rubbing duties — the learned Ashok is kinder and wants to be part of a better, moremodern India.

His American-raised wife has yet a greater distaste for how someone like Balram is treated in India and by the family, and she isn’t afraid to say so, sometimes to Ashok’s fright.

NETFLIX Balram (Adarsh Gourav) is a servant who primarily drives for Ashok (Rajkummar Rao ) and his wife, Pinky (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), in “The White Tiger.”