Brad Pitt has spoken out after learning that his AI likeness was exploited by an online scammer to swindle a French woman out of an astonishing $851,000. The 61-year-old actor expressed his shock and outrage upon discovering that someone had deceived the woman, who fell victim to a fraudulent scheme.

The woman, named Anne and aged 53, became convinced she was in a romantic relationship with Pitt after nearly 18 months of online correspondence. The impersonator, using Pitt’s likeness, captivated her with declarations of love and even proposed marriage, prompting Anne to divorce her wealthy husband, who was 19 years older than her.

Initially, Anne paid customs fees for luxury handbags the fake Pitt had promised her, but as the scam developed, the fraudsters intensified their tactics. They claimed that the actor was hospitalized with kidney cancer and urgently required funds for treatment, persuading her to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars. In a tearful television interview, Anne shared her experience of being manipulated into believing the false storyline, as reported by American media.

The impersonator claimed he couldn’t access his own funds due to an ongoing divorce from Angelina Jolie, further backing his requests for money with pictures of himself in a hospital bed. Anne recounted that her daughter had tried to warn her about the possibility of being scammed, but she was convinced by the fabricated evidence of her relationship with Pitt.

Her doubts only arose when she saw social media posts of Pitt with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, but by then she had already lost around $850,000.

After the news broke last week, Pitt issued a statement through a spokesperson, describing the situation as “awful,” noting that scammers exploit the strong connection between fans and celebrities. He reminded the public to be cautious and avoid responding to unsolicited online messages, particularly from actors not verified on social media.

The French Police are currently investigating this scam designed to defraud unsuspecting victims of large sums of money.

Suriya’s upcoming film “Retro”, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, has successfully sold its digital streaming rights for a notable sum. Known as “Suriya 44”, the movie is a period action-romance drama that is currently in production, with filming and post-production happening simultaneously. The anticipation for “Retro” has soared following the release of its title teaser and a new poster announcing the release date. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical debut on May 1.

Digital release details

Netflix has acquired the digital streaming rights for “Retro”, and it will be available on the platform in all languages after its theatrical run. This arrangement ensures that fans will be able to enjoy the film in multiple languages from the comfort of their homes.

About the film

The promotional materials for “Retro” reveal a period setting enriched with action-packed sequences. The plot centers on a reformed gangster who attempts to escape his violent history for a serene life with his wife. However, his past continues to haunt him, jeopardizing the peace he has strived to establish. The character portrayed by Pooja Hegde in the teaser has already stirred diverse reactions, heightening interest in the film.

The cast and crew

“Retro” features a stellar cast including Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Prakash Raj, Nassar, Joju George, Jayaram, Sujith Shankar, and Nandita Das, with Shriya Saran performing a special dance number. The soundtrack is composed by Santhosh Narayanan, while Shreyaas Krishna handles cinematography. The film is a joint production between Suriya’s 2D Entertainment and Stone Bench Creations, with editing by Shafique Mohamed Ali.

“Pravinkoodu Shappu,” featuring Soubin Shahir and Basil Joseph, has officially premiered today, January 16. Directed by Sreeraj Sreenivasan, the film is garnering positive reactions from audiences since its release, with fans eagerly heading to theatres to catch the first-day, first-show of this Malayalam film. If you’re considering seeing it, be sure to check out these reviews from viewers on Twitter.

One social media user gave the film a score of 4 out of 5 and commented on X, “Another top-notch thriller from Malayalam cinema that revolves around a perfect crime. It takes its time to build the story, and the film’s leisurely pace is effectively complemented by moments of humour.”

Another viewer praised “Pravinkoodu Shappu” as a well-crafted comedy thriller, stating, “The film begins with a crime and continues in investigation mode with an engaging screenplay. The situational comedy throughout worked well and brought plenty of laughs to the theatre. #Basil Joseph was hilarious, and #SoubinShahir delivered an exceptional performance. The background score provided an extra boost, and all departments and supporting cast members were outstanding.”

Fans are taking to social media to commend Soubin Shahir and Basil Joseph’s performances in the film. Discussing the script, one user wrote, “#PravinkooduShappu has a promising premise with a twist and motive, but the direction falls short. Vishnu Vijay and Shyju Khalid were remarkable as always, delivering neat performances, though the film’s full potential remains untapped.”

Another viewer remarked, “#PravinkooduShappu is a well-executed comedy investigation thriller. It starts with a crime and continues in investigation mode with an engaging screenplay. The situational comedy throughout created great laughter in the theatre. #BasilJoseph was hilarious, and #SoubinShahir was exceptional. The background score enhanced the experience, and all departments and supporting cast shone. This is peak Malayalam cinema, and Basil Joseph’s winning streak continues!”

However, some viewers noted that the first half of the film was stronger than the second. One review stated, “A good first half followed by a lacklustre second half, featuring elements of dark humour and an investigation thriller!”

Another user shared, “#PravinkooduShappu was technically impressive but lacked the punch. It’s a one-time watch. I loved how they executed that chase sequence—it’s definitely among the best in Indian cinema! Shyju Khalid is truly one of the best cinematographers in India, strictly my opinion.”

The cast of “Pravinkoodu Shappu” includes a talented lineup featuring Soubin Shahir and Basil Joseph in the lead roles, alongside Chemban Vinod Jose, Chandini Sreedharan, Shivajith, Shabareesh Varma, and Revathi. Prominent supporting actors include Niyas Backer, Vijo Amaravathy, Rajesh Azhikodan, Jyothika Krish, and Prathapan KS.