Pippa

"Pippa," stands out as a refreshingly understated entry in a genre typically known for its boisterous patriotism, especially within Bollywood. The film, anchored on the life story of Balram Singh Mehta, delves into the crucial role of the amphibious battle tank-aptly named 'Pippa' (a Punjabi word for a tin can that floats)-in the pivotal battles of 1971. Unlike many of its counterparts, "Pippa" eschews the usual jingoism, opting instead for a more nuanced approach to storytelling.

The narrative, admittedly slow to ignite, eventually finds its footing, drawing the audience into the thick of the action. Ishaan Khatter, portraying the main protagonist Balram Singh Mehta, delivers a remarkably measured performance, 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.

Supporting performances add depth to the narrative, with Mrunal Thakur and Soni Razdan offering strong turns as Mehta's sister and mother, respectively. Priyanshu Painyuli, initially rigid in his role as Balram's strict brother Ram, eventually finds his groove, contributing to the film's emotional depth.

Visually, "Pippa" impresses with some stunning tank sequences, showcasing a commendable level of technical prowess. The film's real auditory triumph, however, lies in its music and background score by the legendary A. R. Rahman, whose compositions elevate the film's mood and energy, keeping the "josh" (spirit) high.

A notable surprise is the performance of Kamal Sadanah, who steps into the shoes of the legendary Sam Manekshaw with a finesse that belies his time away from the spotlight. His portrayal adds a layer of authenticity and gravitas to the film.

However, "Pippa" is not without its imperfections. The script shows signs of looseness, particularly in the initial segments, and the VFX, crucial for a war movie, occasionally falls short of expectations, detracting from the film's overall impact.

In conclusion, while "Pippa" may have benefited from a grander release on the big screen, it remains a worthy watch. It tells a story that needed to be told, doing so with a subtlety and sensitivity that sets it apart from typical Bollywood war dramas. Its few flaws aside, "Pippa" is a commendable effort that contributes meaningfully to the Indian war film genre.

The film is a sincere homage to India's generosity and humanity, as it shows how the country supported the oppressed people of East Pakistan and stood up for justice. The film also explores the bond between the siblings, who have different personalities and opinions, but share a common love for their nation. The film does not shy away from depicting the horrors of war, but also balances it with moments of humor and emotion.

The film's strength lies in its performances, especially by Ishaan Khatter, who delivers a convincing and charismatic portrayal of Captain Mehta. He shows his range as an actor, as he switches from being a carefree and impulsive youth to a mature and responsible leader. Priyanshu Painyuli and Mrunal Thakur also shine in their roles, as they bring depth and nuance to their characters. The supporting cast, including Soni Razdan, Inaamulhaq, and Leysan Karimova, also do a commendable job.

The film's weakness, however, is its uneven pacing and lack of clarity in some scenes. The film sometimes feels rushed and disjointed, as it jumps from one event to another without much explanation or transition. The film also suffers from some poor visual effects and editing, which take away from the realism and impact of the war scenes. The film could have benefited from a tighter script and a more coherent direction.

Overall, Pippa is a film that deserves to be watched for its honest and heartfelt tribute to India's war heroes and its message of peace and harmony. The film has its flaws, but it also has its moments of brilliance and inspiration. The film is a fitting celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war and the birth of Bangladesh. I would rate it 6.3 out of 10 stars.

The story based on the book " The Burning Chaffees" by Brigadier Balram Mehta has been put forth as film Script brilliantly by Raja menon and his team...With Arr onboard what could be the best thing one can get...

Pippa is one of the brilliantly made films on wars that stand out due to its spontaneous events and not build ups.

It gives a view of a part of the 1971 Indo Pak war that liberated Bangladesh. It shows patriotism and valour in a beautiful way...

The cast has done a great job - especially Ishaan khattar shoulders the entire film. He has put out huge efforts starting from dancing to action sequences.( The starting dance number is excellent)...

While our Mozart of Madras brings out the soul of every martyrs with his brilliant composition and bgm are the core asset of the movie...

Overall the film brings out the morality of Bangladesh crisis stating that " Refuge is a faceless crowd" so give it a try you won't be disappointed...

An immersive war film experience without the unnecessary chauvinistic nationalistic pomp and show-I enjoyed the film thoroughly. And yes! I wasn't really aware of the details of the war of '71, precisely the Battle of Garibpur, and how India helped East Pakistan (Bangladesh) attain liberation from West Pakistan.

The story of three siblings is straightforward and neat. The rift between the brothers was interesting. I am glad the makers didn't burden our protagonist with a love interest. The war scenes-WOW-beautifully designed. The locations where the film is shot contributed immensely. I believe not much of VFX has gone into the film. The tank battles could have been dealt with better. Underproduction? Small budget ? Maybe the reason, but whenever PIPPA was in the water, I was watching without a blink. Ishan worked for me as an actor mostly. Imaamulhaq was brilliant.

The visuals are for the theatre, and cinematographer Priya Seth did an excellent job, especially during the war sequences; the camera immersed me. Director Raja Krishna Menon did commendably as well-the setup, the war sequences were well done. I had teary eyes more than once.

On the flip side, the pacing gets slow towards the end. The climax is underwhelming indeed. Edits at some places were abrupt; also, the makers could have shortened the film. The background score was changing tones, so it worked for me only in parts. AR Rahman sir didn't impress. I wish the film had seen the theaters. Pippa Pippa, "Ghee da dibba," is a victory indeed.

The movie is americanised. The dialogues, accent, the lingo used by military personnel is all americanised. I am actually thinking, what american shows were they watching to learn such things or is these some American Training on how to hollywood style, also with guitar and drums playing in the background.

And then we have bollywood masala or songs and dance numbers.

If you are building a war movie, then build a war movie... why put all this bollywood magic masala and old formula. I was just waiting for some item number to pop up.

Instead, they could have dove deeper into the politics of it, the history of East Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mukti Bahini.