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War drama

Pippa (2023): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Pippa (2023) movie poster

Pippa is a 2023 war drama directed by Raja Menon, starring Ishaan Khatter as Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta, Neeraj Pardeep Purohit and Sandesh Bhandari. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes and was made on a reported $9 million budget. Its Echo Score is 69/100.

Echo Score
69
budget
$9M
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Pippa (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 20m (140 min)
Director
Raja Menon
Genres
War , Drama
Original language
Hindi
Budget
$9M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pippa About?

The premise of Pippa without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1971, as a nation finds its voice, this film tells the story of Captain Balram Singh Mehta, a member of India’s 45 Cavalry regiment. Alongside his siblings, he fights on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistani War. The narrative follows Mehta’s journey as he matures and strives to prove his worth in a conflict aimed at liberating Bangladesh. The film’s title references the Russian PT-76 amphibious tank, nicknamed “Pippa” because it floats like an empty ghee tin.

Pippa Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • army
  • indo pakistani war
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Cast & crew

Pippa Cast & Characters

Ishaan Khatter leads the cast as Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta, with Neeraj Pardeep Purohit as Major Pratap Singh and Sandesh Bhandari as Risaldar RP Singh. Directed by Raja Menon; 24 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Pippa

· 20 more
Show all 24 cast members
From the director

More from Raja Menon

One more film directed by Raja Menon: Airlift.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pippa Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in story & flow (60).

69 /100

Pippa Echo Score Breakdown

Pippa presents a mixed but generally favorable impression, anchored by solid performances and striking cinematography while being hampered by uneven pacing and editing flaws. Critics acknowledge the film's ambition and competent direction, yet note jingoistic overtones and narrative slowness. Audiences echo the visual strengths and acting merits but frequently cite abrupt cuts and underwhelming climax. The net effect is a commendable war drama with notable rough edges.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from an earnest visual style and well-executed war sequences, as highlighted by praise for Priya Seth's cinematography. However, reviewers point to occasional abandonment in the later act, abrupt editing, and below‑average VFX, which diminish the overall polish. The blend of strong imagery with technical inconsistencies yields a moderately high art score.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character and emotion, Ishaan Khatter's portrayal is repeatedly described as convincing and the primary strength of the film. Supporting actors such as Inaamulhaq and Mrunal Thakur receive commendation, though some critics find certain performances caricatured. The consensus leans toward a solid, nuanced ensemble that largely succeeds in delivering emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Story and flow receive mixed feedback; the premise of sibling bonds and historical events is praised for clarity, yet the narrative suffers from sluggish pacing toward the end and an underwhelming climax. Critics and users alike note a lack of cohesion and occasional jingoistic tone, resulting in a story that engages but fails to sustain momentum throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience is marked by compelling war visuals and generally effective sound design, with many reviewers noting immersive battle scenes. The soundtrack, however, divides opinion, with some finding A.R. Rahman's score underwhelming and others appreciating its contribution. Overall, the film delivers a strong visual impact tempered by uneven musical reception.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch factor is moderate; audiences recognize the film's worthiness for a second viewing due to its visual strengths and performances, yet the pacing issues and editing missteps reduce its replay appeal. While some viewers rate it above average and endorse another watch, the consensus suggests limited but present lasting appeal.

Plot

Pippa Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Pippa from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Set against the harrowing backdrop of the 1971 Dhaka University massacre and Operation Searchlight, this sweeping war drama centers on a family pulled into a country-wide struggle for freedom and survival. ” His elder brother Major Ram Mehta, Priyanshu Painyuli, is the steadier, more disciplined force in the family, tasked with a dangerous covert mission that stretches far beyond ordinary frontline duties. Their mother Maati, Soni Razdan, and their sister Radha Mehta, Mrunal Thakur, keep the home fires burning in Delhi as the war drums grow louder; Radha, brilliant with cryptography, is recruited into the Communications and Analysis Wing, a signals intelligence unit that decodes enemy messages and helps guide operations.

Full summary

The whole story of Pippa, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Pippa?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the tank that Captain Balram Singh Mehta works on?

Seen Pippa?

FAQ

Pippa FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, post-credit scenes and language of Pippa, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pippa?

Pippa runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).

When was Pippa released?

Pippa was released on November 10, 2023.

Who directed Pippa?

Pippa was directed by Raja Menon.

More films by Raja Menon

Who is in the cast of Pippa?

Pippa stars Ishaan Khatter as Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta, Neeraj Pardeep Purohit as Major Pratap Singh and Sandesh Bhandari as Risaldar RP Singh, among 24 credited actors.

What was the budget of Pippa?

Pippa had a reported budget of $9 million.

Does Pippa have a post-credit scene?

No. Pippa has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Pippa in?

The original language of Pippa is Hindi.

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