Pippa (2023): Cast, Ratings & Ending
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
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 20m (140 min)
- Director
- Raja Menon
- Original language
-
Hindi
- Studio
- RSVP Movies
- Budget
- $9M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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
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.
- Director Raja Menon
- Ishaan Khatter as Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta
- Neeraj Pardeep Purohit as Major Pratap Singh
- Sandesh Bhandari as Risaldar RP Singh
- Priyanshu Painyuli as Major Ram Mehta
Also Starring in Pippa
· 20 more- Harssh A. Singh Major Abbas
- Soni Razdan Maati
- Mrunal Thakur Radha Mehta
- Kamal Sadanah Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
- Inaamulhaq Shibli
- Avijit Dutt Chief of C&A
- Chandrachoor Rai D.S. Narag (Chiefy)
- Soham Majumdar Anirban
- Flora Jacob PM Indira Gandhi
- Anuj Singh Duhan Lt. Col. Tejinder Singh Sidhu (Speedy)
- Waris Ahmed Zaidi LD Shibe Lal
- Abhinav Bhattacharjee Risaldar Chakraborty
- Vivek Madaan Sinha
- Leysan Karimova Zena
- Amit Ghosh Nobi
- Bishal Rungta LD Harishchandra
Show all 24 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Surya Mittal Manjot
- Suryansh Patel ALD Ramphal Vats
- Sukrit Sharma Officer Digby
- Raja Chakravorty Hamidul
More from Raja Menon
One more film directed by Raja Menon: Airlift.
Pippa Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in story & flow (60).
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.
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
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the tank that Captain Balram Singh Mehta works on?
Seen Pippa?
Movies Like Pippa
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Border, Paltan and Mangal Pandey - The Rising.
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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