Fans were quick to chime into the comment section and shower love-filled birthday wishes to Khiladi Kumar. While many others couldn’t stop gushing over the father-son duo. One fan wrote, “A son’s first hero”. One person wrote, “The happiness that comes from meeting your son living abroad is priceless…..I can feel it.” Another one wrote, “Happy Birthday and this is so moving”. 

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kumar was last seen in Khel Khel Mein. The movie opened to mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. Up next, he will be seen in Rohit Shetty’s Singham again with Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, and Jackie Shroff. Singham Again will hit theaters on November 1, 2024.  

On September 9, Kumar took to his social media and announced a reunion with director Priyadarshan nearly after 14 years. An intriguing first look of Kumar’s upcoming movie Bhooth Bangla was unveiled. The video opens with a shot of the moon and a black cat’s tail. Following that, Akshay appears in a blue suit, paired with a red tie and pocket square, standing in front of a spooky mansion. With a playful expression, he is seen licking milk from a bowl, while a black cat perches on his shoulders.

Directed by Priyadarshan, the movie is set to release in 2025. The eerie background music, accompanied by haunting laughter, adds to the suspense.

Broderick described Jones as a warm and genuine individual, stating that he was so open and had a broad grin, lots of laughter, and genuine curiosity about others. Broderick cherished his personal connection with Jones, describing him as a great listener.

Broderick went on to praise Jones’ acting skills, describing his brilliant, frightening, heartbreaking performance in the play Fences. He described the performance as possibly his favorite but admitted that it was difficult to choose because Jones had played so many memorable roles over his long career.

Broderick also went ahead to call Jones one of the best of his generation, and also hailed him as a ‘great American actor’.  Rob Minkoff, who co-directed The Lion King with Roger Allers, talked about James Earl Jones’ legacy. He stated that Jones left an indelible mark on theater, film, and animation.

Minkoff specifically cited Jones’ portrayal of Mufasa as absolute perfection. He said that his portrayal of Mufasa taught a generation what fatherhood is all about.

Minkoff believes Jones’ powerful voice will continue to resonate with audiences in the future, saying that he is certain his powerful voice will continue rumbling through the living rooms, keeping his spirit alive for years to come. Minkoff concluded his tribute with a heartfelt message saying that he lives in all of us.