What Is the Story About?
Prime Video India’s latest Indian original movie ‘Pippa’ is set in the backdrop of the Indo-Pak war of 1971, and the Indian army’s liberation of Bangladesh.
The film recounts the coming-of-age story of Captain Balram Singh Mehta (Ishaan Khatter), as he leads his team to victory in the fate-defining Battle Of Garibpur. Pippa also documents the first time that the Indian army deployed the Russian-made new-fangled amphibious war tank PT-76, to devastating effect in the war.
Pippa is directed by Raja Krishna Menon and produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies and Siddharth Roy Kapur’s Roy Kapur Films.
Performances?
Ishaan Khatter is average as the incorrigible Captain Balram Singh Mehta, aka Balli. The actor is passable in the scenes set off the battlefield, but below par in the scenes where he must play leader of his battalion, and where he faces-off against the enemy.
Priyanshu Painyulli is compelling as Balli’s disciplinarian elder brother, Major Ram Mehta. His rigid body language suits his role well. Mrunal Thakur is just about average as their sister Radha. Soni Razdan is a miscast, and seems like a fish out of water in the role she’s saddled with.
The supporting cast in Pippa is good, especially Chandrachoor Rai as Chieffy, Anuj Singh Duhan as Speedy and Suryansh Patel as Ramphal.
Analysis
Pippa is the classic example of a story that looks exhilarating on paper, but turns out to be a damp squib when executed. It’s not that the story ‘Pippa’ wants to tell is dull and boring. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
The true-life story that Pippa is based on is a decidedly interesting, and relatively unknown subject. ‘Pippa’ refers to the Russian amphibious war tank called the PT-76 (Palavushi Tanka) deployed by the 45th Cavalry for the first time in the 1971 war. The tank was affectionately called “Pippa”, which is the Hindi word for a tin can used to store ghee. The amphibious tank floated on water like an empty ghee tin, hence the name. Pippa was also one of the defining factors that tilted the odds in favour of the Indian army.
Given such an intriguing subject, in the right hands, the film would have done wonders. Alas, Raja Krishna Menon’s are simply not the right hands. The storytelling is erratic, inconsistent and all over the place, not to say, dull and uninspiring. There is nothing memorable or worthwhile in the narrative. It lacks chutzpah and panache, leading to a film that is utterly devoid of sizzle and spark.
Moreover, Ishaan Khatter simply does not have the charisma or screen presence to pull off the gravitas-laden role. His characterisation is laughable too. He’s introduced as a compulsive rabble-rouser, whose singular aim in life seems to be to cock a snook at discipline and rules. His transformation arc, going from being brash and irresponsible to solemn and responsible, also does nothing to lift the story.
The writing is just about average. The dialogues seem pretentious, the myriad relationships between characters come across as contrived and inorganic. The script invests no effort or time to endear the characters to the audience. Not once do we root for or feel anything for them or their concerns, not even when one goes missing in action, and another dies.
The war scenes take the cake in mediocrity. The scenes with Pippa – clearly the centrepiece of the story – are tepid, boring and lacking in energy, effervescence and a sense of urgency. All of the above serve to make Pippa a half-baked and not-so-satisfying watch.
To sum it up, Pippa is a film that could have been much more, but chooses to settle for very little. Give it a watch, if only to learn more about the true story behind how Pippa became an integral part of the 45th Cavalry Tank Squadron of the Indian army.
Music and Other Departments?
AR Rahman’s musical score for Pippa is decent, but nothing that will stick in the mind. Priya Seth’s cinematography is average, nothing to write home about.
Highlights?
None Worth Mentioning
Drawbacks?
Dull, uninspiring storytelling, Lacking in Spark and Intensity
Ishaan Khatter
Not a Single Goosebumps-inducing moment in the Entire Runtime
Did I Enjoy It?
Not Much
Will You Recommend It?
Only as a One-Time Watch
Pippa Review by Binged Bureau
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