Pippa first look: Ishaan Khatter leads the way as Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta

Ishaan Khatter is ready for battle in the first-look poster from Pippa (2022) directed by Raja Krishna Menon.

The 25-year-old actor plays Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta of the 45th Cavalry tank regiment who fought in the Battle of Garibpur in the India-Pakistan war of 1971.

The poster show Khatter as Brig Mehta in full battle gear, leading the way as he looks out of a tank turret. Incidentally, the Russian tank, called PTl-76, was nicknamed Pippa by Brig Mehta and his men, whence the title. The tagline says, '1971. The nation comes of age.'

The post also indicates that shooting has begun on the film.

Written by Ravinder Randhawa, Tanmay Mohan and Menon, the war film has been adapted from Brig Mehta’s book, The Burning Chaffees.

At the time of the film’s announcement, Menon had said, “Pippa is a war film, but it also has an emotional core celebrating the triumph of love and humanity.”

Khatter, who was seen previously in Khaali Peeli (2020), is also starring in the horror comedy Phone Bhoot (2022) with Katrina Kaif and Siddhant Chaturvedi.

Pippa, co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur, also stars Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli and Soni Razdan. Oscar-winner AR Rahman will compose the score. The film is expected to be released in theatres next year.