SMUGGLER FILMS and ASCENSION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRE

BEST-SELLING, BOOKER PRIZE WINNING NOVEL “THE WHITE TIGER”

New York, NY –15/04/09– Smuggler Films (John Hart and Smuggler partners Patrick Milling Smith, and Brian Carmody) and Ascension Entertainment (Jolyon Symonds and Nicholas Greene) announced today their acquisition of the international best-seller and 2008 Man Booker Prize Winner, “The White Tiger,” written by Aravind Adiga.

 

Aravind Adiga’s staggering debut novel reveals the hypocrisies and chaos of contemporary India through the darkly humorous voice of Balram Halwai. Born the son of a rickshaw puller, the uneducated but ambitious Balram strives to escape the cultural and economic trap that holds millions of Indian families hostage to the ruling caste. Against the backdrop of a burgeoning bourgeoisie, Balram learns to exploit the social Darwinism that permeates new India as the mores that held society together unravel.  While “Slum Dog” paints a romantic portrait of the rising India, in which anyone can be a millionaire, “The White Tiger” suggests that to succeed, murder may be the only option.

Smuggler Film’s John Hart stated, “We’re thrilled and honoured to have this opportunity to make such an important picture. Aravind writes a vivid world that lends itself beautifully to the medium.”

Ascension Entertainment’s Jolyon Symonds stated: “We are both delighted to be involved with Smuggler Films in bringing this exciting project to the screen.  Aravind’s breathtaking novel really hit home for Nick and me;  it captures this extraordinary world of social injustice and magnificent endeavor, with scorching wit and originality.

Aravind Adiga stated, “I’m absolutely delighted, John Hart is highly regarded in the film fraternity, and I think he will make a wonderful film from this book." 

Aravind Adiga is only the fourth debut novelist to win the Booker Prize and second youngest.  An international and New York Times best-seller, Adiga also won Author of the Year from the British Book Awards, beating out Barack Obama’s “Audacity of Hope”; was named as a “Waterstone’s New Voice,”; shortlisted for the 2008 John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and nominated for RTÉ Radio 1's 'The Tubridy Show' Listeners' Choice Award.  “The White Tiger” was published in April 2008.

 

Smuggler Films and Ascension Entertainment negotiated the film rights to “The White Tiger,” with David Godwin Associates in London.