Pippa (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – About Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta of the 45th Cavalry tank squadron who fought on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 along with his siblings.

My Take – The last time a coming-of-age story resonated so well within a war film, we were served with the criminally under-seen Farhan Akhtar directorial Lakshya (2004), which took place during the 1999 Kargil War. This time around, director Raj Krishna Menon (Airlift) takes us further back to the Indo-Pak war of 1971, and the Indian army’s liberation of Bangladesh from East Pakistan. A triumph that reshaped nations.

Based on The Burning Chaffees, a 2016 war memoir by Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta, the valiant protagonist and leader during the 1971 Battle of Garibpur, the film is a well-told story of a family of siblings engaged in the war and excellently weaves together a tale of history, heroism, and the human spirit.

The title’s nod to the amphibious battle tank PT-76, affectionately named ‘Pippa’ in Punjabi slang, cleverly mirrors the film’s theme of resilience, much like an empty ghee tin gracefully floating on water. Most importantly, unlike many of its counterparts, it eschews the usual jingoism, opting instead for a more nuanced approach to storytelling.

Yes, the pace is languorous and unhurried, however, these can surely be overlooked with the kind of content, cinematography and the story the film offers. It’s just the right kind of dramatic, and can undoubtedly be regarded as one of the best war films to release in recent times.

Beginning in the 70s when the West Pakistan army carried out genocide of the East Pakistan people and massacred many pro-independence Bengali civilians. Rendering many homeless and mounting to a large number of refugees in India. All due to Pakistan President General Yahya Khan’s denial of the win procured by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Bangladesh Awami League in the general elections.

At this time, nearly the entirety of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) ended up wanting an independent state for themselves and turned into rebels overnight.

The story mainly follows Indian Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta (Ishaan Khatter), an undisciplined son of a martyr and younger brother of 1965 war hero Ram Mehta (Priyanshu Painyali), who finds himself facing an internal inquiry for defying a superior’s order in the course of a joint Indian-Russian military exercise.

Which saw him ride his newly-inducted amphibious tank into the deep end of a lake despite repeated warnings from his commander, Major Daljit Singh Narag (Chandrachoor Rai). A move which saw the defiant soldier being banished to a desk job at the army headquarters in Delhi, although there is nobody in his squadron more adept at handling the Pippa, the name given to the 45 Cavalry’s PT-76 battle tank.

Meanwhile, as war looms Ram finds himself on an undercover mission, infiltrating East Pakistan with a couple of Mukti Bahini fighters, while their sister, Radha (Mrunal Thakur), who is studying to become a doctor finds herself recruited in the military intelligence, due to expertise in decoding cryptography.

This is one of those films that grips you right from the first scene. There is hardly ever a dull moment, as director Raja Krishna Menon sensitively handles the issue and doesn’t go overboard with any element. Although the film is named after the PT-76 tanker that Brigadier Balli helmed, and expresses his fondness for it, the story does not delve much into the relationship between the man and the machine.

Still, this is a remarkable narrative that’s as much about how India’s brave soldiers answered the call of duty for a neighboring nation as it is about a young and brash man’s coming of age. Writers Ravinder Randhawa, Tanmay Mohan, and Raja Krishna Menon display their skills in storytelling as the film clearly gives a glimpse into Balli’s family life and background, his personality, and how everything played a part in his journey in its own way. Particularly, his inner turmoil, most notably his fractured memories of his father and the strained relationship with his brother.

The film’s appealing part is also its sincerity in depicting the tale. It emphatically underscores the fact that it was humanity that drew India into the conflict notwithstanding the human and financial cost the influx of ten million refugees entailed. That too, with the right amount of authenticity and emotions, which doesn’t seem to go overboard. And a pressure that seems so real that it’s almost tangible.

Visually, the film also impresses with some stunning tank sequences, showcasing a commendable level of technical prowess. The stakes are high; several times people proclaim that this is a battle for a whole population’s freedom and identity. But some of the monologues feel less like pep talks and more like the writers are making sure the audience hasn’t forgotten the scene they’ve set.

Nevertheless, the film’s real auditory triumph lies in its music and background score by the legendary A. R. Rahman, whose compositions elevate the film’s mood and energy, keeping the spirits high.

Performances wise, Ishaan Khatter delivers a convincing and charismatic portrayal, striking a balance between intensity and restraint. His portrayal underscores the character’s evolution through the tribulations of war, a journey of maturation and transformation that is both compelling and convincing.

Mrunal Thakur uses her acting prowess and charm to sell the multiple layers of her character, while Priyanshu Painyuli bring depth and nuance to his character. The supporting cast comprising of Soni Razdan, Chandrachoor Rai, Anuj Singh Duhan, Kamal Sadanah, Inaamulhaq, and Leysan Karimova, also do a commendable job. On the whole, ‘Pippa’ is a gripping war drama that deserves to be watched for its honest and heartfelt portrayal of India’s war heroes.