Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP and Siddharth Roy Kapur's Roy Kapur Films have joined forces to bring a tale of Indian bravery and valour onto the big screen with their production ‘Pippa’.
Based on the book ‘The Burning Chaffees’ by war veteran Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta, the collaboration is led by ‘Airlift’ director Raja Krishna Menon with the acting line-up headlined by Ishaan Khatter. The makers of the heroic tank battle film have also confirmed some of the others to star in the war drama – Mrunal Thakur (of ‘Super 30’ fame) and Priyanshu Painyuli (best known for ‘Extraction’ and ‘Mirzapur Season 2’) as Khatter's on-screen siblings, and Soni Razdan as their mother.
‘Pippa’ will see Khatter take on the role of Brigadier Mehta, a veteran of the 45th Cavalry Tank Squadron who fought on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
With one of the biggest war films, ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’, already under his belt, producer Ronnie Screwvala notes: “‘Pippa’ is a story that chronicles an Indian victory in 1971 through the eyes of the Mehta family and signing on fine actors to essay the members of this brave family was our foremost priority.
“I'm glad we have talented actors like Mrunal and Priyanshu on board, who along with Ishaan will spearhead this story of triumph that needs to be told.”
Siddharth Roy Kapur reflects: “We were looking for great actors who would complement each other to create a believable family unit, and with Mrunal, Priyanshu and Ms Razdan on board to join Ishaan, I am happy that we have more than achieved what we set out to do with the casting.”
Director Menon adds: “With Mrunal and Priyanshu joining Ishaan, we have three of the most exciting young actors coming together. Personally, I'm very excited to work with such extraordinary young talent and look forward to the energy they bring to ‘Pippa’.”
The film is scheduled for release late next year.