Ishaan Khattar on Pippa: It was an insane experience, being in a war tank

Actor Ishaan Khattar, director Raja Krishna Menon (Airlift), and Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta.

On November 20, 1971, India and Pakistan fought the Battle of Garibpur in what was then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. Captain Balram Singh Mehta was part of the 45 Cavalry tank squadron that took the amphibious PT-76 tanks across the front into victory. Later promoted to Brigadier, Balram Singh Mehta reproduced his experiences and memories in the book The Burning Chaffees. In 2023, the book’s movie adaptation, Pippa, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, starring Ishaan Khattar as army officer Balram. Priyanshu Painyuli plays older brother Major Ram and Mrunal Thakur features as their sister Radha. Pippa, referring to a buoyant empty can of ghee, was the nickname given to the PT-76 tank.

Also read: Amazon Prime’s Pippa review: Ishaan Khattar and Mrunal Thakur can’t save this middling war film

Director Raja Krishna Menon (Airlift), Khattar, Brigadier Mehta and Soni Razdan, who plays Balram’s mother, spoke about their experiences of shooting a war drama.

Raja, what were the most important elements that you wanted to retain while adapting the book to screen?

Given his (Brigadier Mehta's) experience, right in the thick of it all, there's no better account of what was really going on in the 1971 war. His writing was so detailed, like a journal. We were clear that we had to keep the authenticity of what happened. After that, we started building the world around the Battle of Garibpur and the Pippa (PT-76 tank).

We spent a lot of time listening to his stories, accounts of his life, etc., and then deep-dived into that period of 1969-70-71, understanding what was going on globally, the socio-economic situation, the political situation. We used firsthand accounts from people like the Brigadier as well as general research.

But I did have to fictionalize aspects of the family to fit it all into a 2-hour film, while taking the essence of the incredible bravery, courage and sacrifice this family made, during that time. I would say the story is about the coming of age of a nation. It's also about siblings, in the family, but I see the subcontinent as siblings too. It's also about women, and how they are the most affected by war. We hope the film gives an understanding of the cost of war.

Brigadier Mehta, how does it feel to see actors playing members of your family, or representing you on screen?

It was a wonderful experience meeting them. There were many interactions, sharing private moments, the real story of what happened, how it happened. As far as Ishaan is concerned, my first statement to him was that he is a born cavalier. It comes naturally to him - both stepping into a tank and stepping off a tank. He had that natural grace and ability. Essentially, the film is based on my book, but when you're making a movie with experienced people like Raja, they know when to take creative liberties and to what extent they can pull it off.

Soni Razdan, you play the wife of a martyred officer and mother to two army officers. What was your reading of this character?

She's a single parent right from the opening of the film and she has two sons who are in the army. So, obviously, she's had to be a really strong, tough woman. But it's not that she doesn't feel, so like any mother she's terrified within but she wouldn't show how terrified she is when her sons go out to the front. What I liked about this whole space of the family is that they're not perfect. They have their own battles that they're fighting in the family. What I loved is that that's how you the audience connects to the family, to the characters and, therefore, to the battles that they're going to be fighting.

Ishaan, between the script, the book, and the Brigadier himself, where did you find the greatest resources for playing your character?

It’s an incredible honour and a privilege to play a part like this at such a young stage in my career. Interacting directly with Brigadier Balram Mehta was a gift, and of course, we had the book to draw on, which gave me a good sense of the kind of person he is. I remember the first time I physically met Balram sir was the day before we began shooting in Amritsar. Before that, all our interactions were online because we were in the midst of a pandemic. The script was our emotional blueprint, and, of course, logistical as well. But for us actors, the greatest resource is always the script. The more you read it, the more it opens up your mind to the possibilities of what could be.

Did you feel an added sense of responsibility playing a living hero?

Ishaan Khattar: I think it can be quite arresting, if you carry that pressure with you on set, which is where the prep comes in. That’s essential so you know you can go in with the confidence of having done some work, and it's lived-in by the time you start performing. We also had the great opportunity of training with the army, which he kindly enabled for us. That was a huge learning experience for all of us. It made us really understand what it feels like to live like a soldier. Seven of us actors went to these camps, for a seven-day training, twice over a few months. That gave us an inherent sense of comradeship because we went through these experiences together. Raja said that by the time we came on set, he didn’t want actors, he wanted soldiers.

As a director, how much did you focus on accuracy, in terms of weaponry, etc.?

Raja Menon: I have to give it to my team that made it happen. They went into every single detail. We spent 10 months on prep, just making sure we had the right guns and the right ammo. We were also understanding how our tank works, but there's also the infantry and the Pakistani side. I'm someone who demands that we get those things right, because the least we can do is represent the army and the wars of the time correctly. That required a lot of research, which is not that hard to find. But the Brigadier really helped us get access to several things. We went to the museum, we could figure out the badges, we could figure out the uniforms. It was incredible to have that access to the tanks, fire the tanks, understand what the sound is like. We had a sound team on hand to record the sound so we know exactly what it feels like. Our grip team got an understanding of how a tank would move so we could recreate that on set.

Ishaan, what was it like being in a tank and performing with this weaponry?

It was an insane experience to actually experience tanks. I had the pleasure of being able to drive a tank in the workshops we did. When you are in the tank, you can't hear anything, and it's hot. We also participated in a firing exercise. It’s one thing to hear it and see it visually, it's another thing to feel it. When the first bomb drops, your body wants to turn around and flee. It takes immense courage, motivation and purpose to do what these soldiers do. I hope the Brigadier is proud of what we tried to do with this film, because we tried to stay true to what it means to be a Cavalier.