Pippa

Plot

Pippa is a 2023 Hindi-language biographical war film that tells the inspiring true story of Captain Balram Singh Mehta (played by Ishaan Khatter) of India's 45th Cavalry regiment during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The film is set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh Liberation War, where India intervened to support Bangladesh's fight for independence from Pakistan. The film opens with Captain Mehta and his siblings preparing for the impending conflict on the eastern front. As the war intensifies, Mehta leads his battalion in an amphibious assault, using the Russian PT-76 tank, nicknamed "Pippa" for its ability to float on water like a tin of ghee. The story tracks his journey from a young, inexperienced officer to a brave and skilled leader who must prove himself in the heat of battle. Amidst the chaos and brutality of war, Pippa also explores the emotional bonds between Mehta and his family, especially the camaraderie with his siblings, who are also engaged in the war effort. The film captures pivotal moments of the 1971 war, including key battles that contributed to the eventual creation of Bangladesh. Pippa is not just a war film but also a coming-of-age story about courage, sacrifice, and the deep sense of duty that drives soldiers to risk everything for their country.

Cast