Pippa

In the film’s climax the improvised PT‑76 tanks—nicknamed Pippa for their ability to float—lead the 45th Cavalry across the swollen river toward the heavily defended town of Burinda. Balram (Balli)‑Mehta, now second‑in‑command after the death of Chiefy, pushes his modified tanks into the water, trusting the makeshift seating that lets the commander stand and spot threats instantly. The crossing succeeds, and the Indian‑Bangladeshi force breaks through the Pakistani defenses just as the enemy’s armored column arrives.

Inside Burinda, Balli discovers that his elder brother, Major Ram Mehta, has been captured amid a maze of landmines and prisoner‑holds. With the help of the Mukti Bahini, who have cleared the mines, Balli’s unit storms the compound, freeing Ram and a convoy of terrified civilians, many of them women who had been locked up for days. The brothers’ reunion is charged with relief and a sudden shift in their relationship: the rivalry that had haunted them for years gives way to mutual respect and a promise to stand together as friends rather than competitors.

Just as the ground battle reaches its apex, a Pakistani fighter swoops low over the river. Balli, spotting a stack of oil drums, orders his crew to fire at them. The exploding drums create a massive fireball that engulfs the aircraft, sending it crashing down. The loss of air support cripples the Pakistani offensive, prompting the remaining enemy troops to surrender.

With the battlefield secured, the Indian army and the Mukti Bahini consolidate their hold. The U.S. Seventh Fleet, which had been moving toward the region, withdraws under Indian intelligence pressure. East Pakistan is declared free, becoming Bangladesh, and the film ends on a quiet note of reconciliation—Balli and Ram, once divided by expectations, now share a bond forged in blood and bravery.

Last Updated: September 15, 2025 at 18:26