Ishaan Khattar Talks 'Pippa' Role: Army Officer Insight on Amazon Prime Release

After working in films like Beyond the Clouds, Dhadak, The Suitable Boy, the dashing Ishaan Khattar is back with a new film tilted Pippa directed by Raja Menon which will be premiering on Amazon Prime on 10th November. Sharing more on his role and challenges Ishaan says, "There were many things that were challenging. It's been an important role as we  have an impression about the Army life and for me it was a big thing because I got an opportunity to play the role of an Army brigadier. Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta was present with us all the time on the sets to guide us and tell us about the role that India played in that war.  He guided us and encouraged and inspired us so we would go in the right direction. It was an exciting yet challenging expericeience working on the film, especially the action sequences, standing in a tank and commanding a force was itself very challenging.“

He also adds, "There are so many elements that I have not seen or experienced  during that era as I was not born.  It was  the story of a war, a family,  I have played the role of a boy from the war torn area in A Suitable Boy. Therefore, for this film I  studied a lot about that period such as the clothes they wore, their lifestyle,  how they mingled in the society, etc. but after I started performing the character, it was completely different.  I couldn’t go with the thought that I will be performing a character from that era. I accepted the role completely and lived the role as we are doing the story in this era. The credit goes entirely to director Raja Menon  as he had done a lot of research before starting the shoot.“
On asking about his choices in roles, Khattar adds, "I try to pick the best from the opportunities that I get. When I say the best -- it’s a personal thing but I try to pick and choose roles that I understand and  try to get into that mould. Those characters and filmmakers excite me. Raja Menon is a great director and I have seen his films and loved them. The script was so good  and I feel it’s important that the youth  of today know about it. It was a proud moment  in the history for us and it is important to talk about this event and discuss about it. As far as a war is concerned, I am a pacifist but that is not the answer for every war but in this war we intervened on behalf of Bangladesh and helped them and the very next moment we left that land and came back.“

For Ishaan it was a proud moment when he sported the uniform as he says,”
 They are the real heroes of our life and the meaning of the word 'hero' changes when it comes to a Soldier. It’s a very different feeling when you don the uniform, it makes you feel responsible and there is a very strong purpose.  We  took it very seriously. When we were trained for the role of the Army men in the camp, it led to more admiration and  respect towards them. When I first spoke to Balram sir we connected through a zoom call. Later on I insisted that I want to meet him and take his blessings before shooting for the movie .They were kind enough to get the permission.  I had told him in the beginning casually that I will be bombarding him with questions.  He had replied “Young man, you should be happy to know that  I am used to bombardment .”  For me it was a form of expression where as for him it was reality.“

The film, led by Ishaan Khatter in the lead role, is an adaptation of Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta's book 'The Burning Chaffees'. Pippa delves into the events surrounding the Battle of Garibpur, a crucial engagement in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. This conflict notably contributed to Bangladesh's quest for independence, aided by the Indian Army. Pippa also stars Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli and Soni Razdan in pivotal roles.