NOVELTY - Preparation of rilpivirine comprises (a) condensing (E)-3-(4-amino-3,5-dimethylphenyl)acrylonitrile hydrochloride with 4-(4-chloropyrimidin-2-ylamino)benzonitrile in the presence of N-methylpyrrolidone, (b) heating the contents obtained in step (a) at 75-95 degrees C to obtain a solution, (c) cooling the solution obtained in step (b) at below 35 degrees C, (d) adding water to the reaction mass, and (e) isolating rilpivirine.    USE - The process is useful for preparation of rilpivirine (claimed) which is useful for treating HIV infection. No biological data given.    ADVANTAGE - The process: provides rilpivirine at faster rate with higher yields; is simple, environmentally-friendly, inexpensive, reproducible, robust and is well suited on an industrial scale; and provides rilpivirine which exhibits inhibitory action with higher potency, longer half-life and reduced side effect profile compared with older NNRTIs.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) preparation of rilpivirine hydrochloride comprising (a1) suspending rilpivirine in an alcoholic solvent, (b1) heating the contents obtained in step (a1) at reflux, (c1) adding a solution of hydrochloric acid in an alcoholic solvent to the reaction mixture at reflux, (d1) maintaining the reaction mass at reflux, and (e1) isolating pure rilpivirine hydrochloride;    (2) a rilpivirine hydrochloride monohydrate;    (3) preparation of rilpivirine hydrochloride monohydrate comprising (a2) suspending rilpivirine in an alcoholic solvent and/or a ketonic solvent, (b2) heating the contents obtained in step (a2) at reflux to obtain a solution, (c2) adding carbon to the solution, (d2) removing the solvent from the solution, (e2) adding an alcoholic solvent to the residual solid obtained in step (d2), (f2) passing the hydrochloride gas to the reaction mass, and (g2) isolating rilpivirine hydrochloride monohydrate; and    (4) a composition comprising rilpivirine hydrochloride monohydrate and excipients, and optionally other therapeutic ingredients.