Brad Pitt in Mumbai to attend War Machine screening, meets Shah Rukh Khan

The 53-year-old actor plays a US General posted in Afghanistan

Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt is in India to promote his latest film, the Netflix satire "War Machine".

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan will be moderating a special chat session here with Pitt, in which the two actors will discuss the project.

In the movie, the 53-year-old actor plays a US General posted in Afghanistan.

Directed by David Michod, of "Animal Kingdom" fame, the Netflix Original film is inspired by the book "The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan" by late journalist Michael Hastings.

An investment in the range of $60 million also makes it Netflix's biggest-budget feature to date.

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Pitt's character is loosely based on General Stanley A McChrystal, a retired United States Army general best-known for his command of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

His last assignment was as Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, US Forces Afghanistan.

Hastings's blistering profile on McChrystal led to his firing by Obama.

Pitt's company Plan B is also one of the producers of the film.

The first big-budget Hollywood movie on Netflix will be released on May 26.

Fan to release in 3,000 screens in India

After 3.5 years, Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) is back with the studio largely responsible for his rise to stardom — Yash Raj Films (YRF), for the April 15 release Fan. Before this, Khan starred in YRF founder Yash Chopra’s swansong directorial venture Jab Tak Hai Jaan in 2012 which went on to make more than Rs 100 crore at the box office.

Times have changed now however, and a Rs 100 crore collection figure is no longer a recipe or assurance of profitability. In this case, the movie will need to cross the double century mark, since the cost of production and marketing is around Rs 105 crore. In order to make profits, Fan will need to make more than Rs 210 crore.

Releasing in 3000 screens in India and 700 screens abroad, analysts believe that the film can make around Rs 8 to 20 crore on the first day, it being a bank holiday and summer vacation time at schools and colleges. However collections from the second day will depend on word of mouth and social media response. If all goes to plan, the film should be able to make around Rs 55-60 crore in the first weekend say trade pundits.

Suniel Wadhwa, independent distributor and box office analyst says, “SRK-YRF are teaming up forFan after Jab Tak Hain Jaan directed by Yash Chopra. Fan is the fourth film under banner of YRF which is being directed by Maneesh Sharma. The teaser and main trailer have attracted the audience and looks promising as it has already created a buzz among moviegoers and diehard SRK fans.” This will beShah Rukh Khan first thriller after Don 2 which released in 2011. Fans and audiences in general seem to be looking forward to seeing King Khan in a role that is not only romantic and/or slapstick.

Shaaminder Malik, an independent distributor and trade analyst for North India, however is sceptical of the film’s chances. “Being the solo release on a festival weekend, the film will get a decent opening. But beyond that, it is tricky. Barring one song, the music hasn’t really taken off. With The Jungle Book doing so well, the content offering of Fan will have to be very good to draw more audiences. Let’s wait and see how it goes.”Read More.

Hope everything good happens with 'Dilwale': SRK on boycott

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, without directly commenting on the MNS appeal to boycott “Dilwale”, said they just want positive things to happen to the film. 

The Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena had appealed to people to boycott the Shah Rukh-Kajol-starrer releasing this week, alleging that the actor has “ignored the plight of farmers reeling under severe drought”. 

When asked about his reaction, Shah Rukh, 50, said, “Before the film’s release it’s better if you ask me questions about the film, because we have been so caught up with work, we don’t understand other things. But God willing, everything good will happen with our film.” 

He was speaking at the music celebration party of the Rohit Shetty directed romantic-action-drama yesterday. 

MNS Chitrapat Karmachari Sena chief Amey Khopkar had said they were not seeking a ban on the film but were appealing to people to boycott the film as “SRK is taking Maharashtra for granted.” 

Also starring, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, “Dilwale” is set to release this Friday.