Hollywood's hottest stars, Angelina Jolie [Images] and Brad Pitt [Images], arrived in Pune today for the shooting of a film on American journalist Daniel Pearl who was slain by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Jolie, Pitt and a few members of their families arrived at Pune International Airport at about 3 pm by a chartered plane belonging to the Raymonds firm, airport sources said. They then drove in two cars to Le Meridien Hotel, according to the same sources. There was not much security for the Hollywood stars, whose visit has generated a lot of media interest.

The production unit, besides booking two posh hotels for the stars, their family and crew members, have also taken a couple of private bungalows on rent. One of the bungalows on Baner Road, on the outskirts of the city, also has a helipad. The film A Mighty Heart, scripted by the slain journalist's wife Marianne, is co-produced by Pitt's production company. Jolie stars as Pearl's spouse.

Pune was chosen because part of its landscape bears similarities to Karachi, where Marianne spent one month from the day she learnt about Daniel Pearl's kidnapping until the latter's beheading by his abductors in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Since Sunday, hordes of mediapersons, including photographers, have been scouring the city for information on the actors.

Photograph: Getty Images