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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Surprise! Brad Pitt in India to promote 'War Machine'

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.

Anti-pan masala campaign: SRK, Priyanka and others may lose hefty fees

For decades, Bollywood has portrayed the nobility to stand for a cause that benefits public at large. The heroism comes with a price tag too - it taught us. The real life choices may not be very dissimilar for the industry’s top paid actors either. While, Sunny Leone, the porn-star turned bollywood actor, responded positively weeks after she received a request from the Delhi government to not endorse any pan masala brand, the others, if they wish to follow suit, may have to relinquish crores as endorsementfees that they earn – appearing for pan masala brands currently.

Shah Rukh Khan – one of Bollywood’s top paid actor and brand endorser signed a deal for Rs 20 crore in 2014 to promote Pan Vilas. The choice was obvious given the TVC’s message for its target customers – for men who made it big in life on their own. The deal was said to be the highest endorsement fee charged for a single brand at that point in time by any Bollywood actor. 

Priyanka Chopra – who endorses Rajnigandha Silver Pearls – charged a premium on her standard rate of Rs 1 crore for the brand, it is learned. 

Dilwale enters list of highest foreign grossers in 10 days

Shah Rukh Khan has added another film to the top 10 foreign collectors from Bollywood with Dilwale.

The pre-Christmas release, starring Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon in lead roles, has grossed $18.5 million in the first 10 days. This puts the Rohit Shettydirectorial at the number seven spot in the top 10, overtaking Happy New Year.

The highest foreign collector from Bollywood is Aamir Khan’s PK, released last December. The film has made about $47 million in the international circuit, with China contributing almost $17 million to this number. Salman Khan’s 2015 Eid release Bajrangi Bhaijaan takes the second spot with $29 million, followed by Dhoom 3 (2013) at $28 million.

Dilwale is co-produced by SRK’s Red Chillies Entertainment and Rohit Shetty and was released in 1,210 screens abroad. While the majority of the screens were in traditional markets–North America (the US and Canada), the UK and West Asia, the film also released day and date in new territories like Jordan, Spain, Finland, Trinidad and Guyana. Read More.

Box office may see Rs 400-cr collection as Bajirao clashes with Dilwale

With Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani releasing simultaneously on pre-Christmas weekend, Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are set for a major box office clash. But this is not the first time one of India’s top actors and one of India’s finest directors are fighting it out on the big screen.

In 2007, Khan’s Om Shanti Om, a reincarnation drama with all the trappings of a masala flick, trounced Bhansali’sSaawariya, an interpretation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s White Nights. With Rs 90-crore business, OSO became one of the year’s highest-grossing movies. On the other hand, Saawariya failed to recover money.

While history seems to be in favour of King Khan, no one can rule out Bhansali who has directed blockbusters likeDevdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Both the movies have been mounted on Rs 100-crore-plus budget and both sides have put up unprecedented marketing campaigns, leading to a nail-biting contest.

Analysts believe both the films have what it takes to be a top-grosser in Bollywood. However, Dilwale seems to have an upper hand on the opening day. “It seems very safe to assume that Dilwale will top (Bajirao Mastani) as it offers wholesome entertainment for the masses. Bajirao may appeal more to the urban audience,” said Suniel Wadhwa, an independent distributor and box office analyst.

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.