RSVP and Roy Kapur Films’ Pippa is a war film inspired by Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta’s book, The Burning Chaffees. It is about the battle of Garibpur (East Pakistan) fought in November 1971.
Balram Mehta alias Balli (Ishaan Khatter) is an armyman who often flouts orders but he gets away scot-free because he is excellent at his work. His older brother, Ram (Priyanshu Painyuli), is also an armyman. While Ram is strict and disciplined, Balli is fun-loving and easy-going. As luck would have it, both are called to the border to fight in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Suddenly one day, Ram goes missing and is feared dead. But it emerges that he may have been held captive by Pakistan. The suspicion that Ram may still be alive prompts Balli to move heaven and earth to trace him. Does Balli reach in time to save Ram or is he too late? The drama also talks of how India successfully freed East Pakistan from Pakistan and helped it form an independent nation, Bangladesh.
Ravindra Randhawa, Tanmay Mohan and Raja Krishna Menon have written a fairly interesting story and screenplay but if they still do not engage the viewers completely, it is because they talk of the freedom of another nation (Bangladesh) and India’s role in securing it. The emotion of patriotism is not as strong as it ought to have been in a drama of this kind. Even though it deals with the story of two brothers, both serving in the Indian army, it does not evoke emotions which can moisten the eyes or even melt the hearts. The trio’s dialogues are nice but are not punch-packed or clapworthy.
Ishaan Khatter does well as Balram Mehta/Balli. Priyanshu Painyuli delivers a restrained performance as Ram Mehta. Mrunal Thakur has her moments as Radha Mehta. Soni Razdan lends fair support as the mother of Ram, Balli and Radha. Kamal Sadanah is okay as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Suryansh Patel makes a fine impression as Ramphal. Soham Majumdar leaves a mark as Anirban. Harsha A. Singh is effective as Major Abbas. Inaam-ul-Haq is very nice in the role of Shibli. Chandrachoor Rai is endearing as ‘Chiefy’ Major Daljit Singh Narag. Anuj Singh Duhan has his moments as ‘Speedy’ Lt. Tejinder Singh Sidhu. Avijit Dutt makes his presence felt as chief of C & A. Flora David Jacob has her moments as Indira Gandhi. Neeraj Purohit is natural as Squadron Commander Major Pratap Singh. Aashish Gaur is nice as Lt. Col. R.K. Singh. Bishal Rungta (as gunner Harish), Sukrit Sharma (as officer Digby), Surya Mittal (as Manjot), Ajay Kumar Madhok (as Manjot’s father), Geeta Modi (as Manjot’s mother), Himanshu Manek (as Brigadier), and the others lend able support.
Raja Krishna Menon’s direction is appropriate to the story. A.R. Rahman’s music is appealing but the songs have not gained much in popularity. Shellee’s lyrics are nice. Vijay A. Ganguly’s choreography is quite eye-filling. A.R. Rahman’s background music is extraordinary. Priya Seth’s cinematography is very good. Action and stunt scenes (Armin George Sauer, Martin Kurd Lederer and Vikram Dahiya) are fairly thrilling but ought to have been more exciting. Mustafa Stationwala and Ravi Srivastava’s production designing is fair. Hemanti Sarkar’s editing is quite sharp post-interval.
On the whole, Pippa is a fair entertainer for the digital platform. Had it released in the cinemas, it would’ve found the going tough.
Released on 10-11-’23 on Amazon Prime.
