Kareena Kapoor praises Jaafar Jackson in 'Michael': 'What a performance'
Synopsis
Kareena Kapoor's one-word verdict — 'Uff' — on Jaafar Jackson's performance in Michael speaks louder than a long review. The biopic, already a $245 million global hit and 2026's fifth highest-grossing film, is now drawing Bollywood's biggest names, with Kareena's Instagram story giving it a fresh wave of South Asian attention.
Key Takeaways
Kareena Kapoor praised Jaafar Jackson 's performance in Michael via her Instagram stories on 22 August .
Michael , directed by Antoine Fuqua , has grossed $245 million worldwide, ranking as the fifth highest-grossing film of 2026 .
Jaafar Jackson is the son of Jermaine Jackson of The Jackson 5 , playing his uncle Michael Jackson in the biopic.
The film's ensemble cast includes Colman Domingo , Nia Long , and Kat Graham ; it released on 24 April .
Kareena is next set to appear in Meghna Gulzar 's Daayra alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran , releasing in September 2025 .
Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor has heaped praise on Jaafar Jackson for his lead performance in the Hollywood biographical drama Michael, calling it a must-watch and summing up her reaction with a heartfelt 'Uff'. The endorsement, shared on 22 August, adds to the growing global buzz around the film.
Kareena's Reaction
Kareena shared a photograph of her television screen mid-screening of Michael on her Instagram stories. Her caption read: 'Uff @jaafarjackson #Michael what a film…. What a performance.' The brevity of the message only underscored the impact — a single word doing the work of a full review.
Who Is Jaafar Jackson?
Jaafar Jackson is the son of Jermaine Jackson, a member of the legendary The Jackson 5, and Alejandra Jackson. Playing his own uncle — the King of Pop — is a role that carries enormous emotional and cultural weight, and by most accounts, Jaafar has delivered.
About the Film
Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua and features an ensemble cast including Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Kat Graham as Diana Ross. The film released in cinemas on 24 April and has since grossed $245 million worldwide, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of 2026.
The biographical drama chronicles the life of Michael Jackson, tracing his journey from his early days with The Jackson 5 in the 1960s through to his breakout solo career. Jackson, who died on 25 June 2009 at age 50 from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose, is widely regarded as one of the most culturally significant figures of the 20th century.
Over a four-decade career, Jackson broke American racial barriers in music and popularised street dance moves including the moonwalk, the robot, and the anti-gravity lean. He remains one of the most-awarded music artists in history, with accolades including 13 Grammy Awards, the Grammy Legend Award, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 26 American Music Awards, 12 World Music Awards, 8 MTV Video Music Awards, 6 Brit Awards, and 3 presidential honours.
What's Next for Kareena
On the work front, Kareena is preparing for the release of director Meghna Gulzar's Daayra, in which she stars opposite Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran — their first on-screen pairing. Set against the world of crime and justice, the film casts Prithviraj as a police inspector and Kareena in a fierce, enigmatic role. Daayra is slated for release in September 2025.
Point of View
Suggesting audiences are hungry for legacy storytelling done at scale. Jaafar Jackson playing his own uncle is either inspired casting or a gimmick — the box office suggests it landed as the former. For Bollywood, the subtext is also worth noting: biopics about music icons remain largely untapped territory in India, and Michael's global success will not go unnoticed by producers here.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kareena Kapoor say about the film Michael?
Kareena Kapoor praised the film Michael on her Instagram stories on 22 August, sharing a photo of her television screen and writing: 'Uff @jaafarjackson #Michael what a film…. What a performance.' She called it a must-watch.
Who is Jaafar Jackson?
Jaafar Jackson is the son of Jermaine Jackson, a member of The Jackson 5, and Alejandra Jackson. He plays his uncle, Michael Jackson, in the 2026 biographical film Michael directed by Antoine Fuqua.
How much has the film Michael earned at the box office?
Michael has grossed $245 million worldwide as of the latest available figures, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of 2026. It released in cinemas on 24 April.
Who else is in the cast of Michael?
The film features Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Kat Graham as Diana Ross, alongside Jaafar Jackson in the title role.
What is Kareena Kapoor's next film?
Kareena Kapoor is set to appear in Meghna Gulzar's Daayra alongside Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran, marking their first on-screen pairing. The film, set against a backdrop of crime and justice, is scheduled for release in September 2025.
