Actor Ishaan Khatter has been conferred honorary membership of the 45 Cavalry Regiment of the Indian Armoured Corps in recognition of his portrayal of Captain Balram Singh Mehta in the war film Pippa.
The honour was bestowed upon the actor for authentically depicting a 45 Cavalry officer on screen and for showing deep respect towards the regiment’s traditions, ethos, and legacy.
Sharing photographs and videos from the ceremony on social media, Ishaan Khatter described the recognition as “the honour of a lifetime” and expressed gratitude to the regiment for welcoming him into its extended fraternity.
The commemorative plaque presented to the actor recognised his “authentic portrayal of a 45 Cavalry officer in Pippa and abiding respect for the Regiment’s ethos,” and carried the regiment’s motto, “Veer Bhogya Vasundhara.”
Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, Pippa is based on Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta’s memoir The Burning Chaffees and revolves around the role played by the 45 Cavalry regiment during the Indo Pakistani War of 1971, particularly the Battle of Garibpur that contributed to the liberation of Bangladesh.
The film stars Ishaan Khatter as Captain Balram Singh Mehta, alongside Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli, and Soni Razdan.
The title Pippa is inspired by the Soviet-origin PT-76 amphibious tank operated by the 45 Cavalry regiment during the 1971 war.
