Sir Ben worked closely with Lord Attenborough on Gandhi

Sir Ben Kingsley won an Oscar for his starring role as India's pacifist leader in Lord Attenborough's epic film Gandhi in 1982.

Gandhi won eight Oscars, including best director for Lord Attenborough.

"People often ask me if filming Gandhi changed my life," Sir Ben told BBC News Online.

"Well, yes but not in the way so many assume. Working with Richard changes everyone for the better. His unique combination of decency and genius is irrefutable.

Richard Briers sent his birthday greetings to BBC News Online Enlarge Image

"Richard changed my life, not the role.

"Happy Birthday, Dickie. SBK."

Veteran actor Richard Briers, who worked with Lord Attenborough in Kenneth Branagh's film version of Hamlet, also spoke warmly of him.

"Quite apart from your terrific film career as actor and director, no-one has ever done so much for others," he wrote.

"You are simply a triumph. Happy Birthday."

And Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who wrote the screenplay for the film Gosford Park, appeared in Lord Attenborough's film Shadowlands, about the life of writer CS Lewis.

Fellowes and Briers appeared in Monarch of the Glen

Paying tribute to the film maker, who is understood to be spending his birthday on holiday with his family, Fellowes told BBC News Online:

"I was lucky enough to figure as one of the Dons in Shadowlands which was both a marvellous job and a marvellous picture. These two do not always go hand in hand so it is an especially happy memory.

"Sir Richard was (a) the most enthusiastic and (b) the most polite director I have ever worked for. Again, as most of Equity knows, among film directors this is not a natural double.

"My favourite vignette from that set was when a distinguished, if elderly, actor approached him one day with a suggestion for an extra speech which he, the actor, had written for himself.

Scenes from Lord Attenborough's long career In pictures

"Carefully he explained how this new (and pretty lengthy) piece of dialogue would clarify both the scene and his own role in it. Our director nodded, thoroughly convinced.

"'Let's go with it,' he said. As they prepared to film this addition, the cameraman signalled that he was running out of film. Attenborough winked at him.

"'Never mind,'" he whispered gently. As a result, the camera was empty as it hummed and whirled but honour was served all round... Dear Sir Richard, I hope this is a very happy birthday for you."

Your birthday tributes to Lord Attenborough:

I stumbled upon Guns at Batasi during my high school days and became hooked to your work. Many Happy Returns!
Reza, USA

Happy Birthday Mr Attenborough. You teach us dignity and gentlemanship in a time where such things seem lost and meaningless. Here is to a life immortal.
Matthew, Australia

Many words sum up the great Lord Attenborough, here are just a few: actor, director, star, entertainer, nice chap, but most of all, Dickie is a living legend.
Peter Sims, London, UK

I was listening to your brother read his autobiography on aunty this week and as a family you excel in today's medium. Happy birthday

P.S. See you in Richmond - my second home.
Alan Foster, Jamaica

A very Happy Birthday. It's been a very accomplished 60 years in films. The classic films you've starred in and directed have brought joy to me and so many others. When is the NFT going to have a season of your films!!
Richard J, Brit in NYC

Happy 80th Birthday. We all love your films and your acting - have a great day and we look forward to some more films which you make in the future. You're the best and the greatest. HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The Hodgkins Family, England

The world undervalues your artistic achievements, yet you've also chaired venerable British institutions such as Channel 4 and the British Film Institute. You are unquestionably the father of the modern British film industry.
Amer Hasan, U.K.

Happy Birthday Lord Attenborough. You are indeed a national treasure. Your films are classics and have brought a lot of pleasure to people's lives, not like the forgettable trash we see nowdays. Chaplin is my favourite. I hope you make another film soon. Have a wonderful day.
Ann Shannon, England

Your stunning performance as the mass murderer Christie in 10 Rillington Place will remain with me forever. Truly chilling. Your career as a superb actor has been matched by your directing talents. Keep the films coming, please.
Brian Cullen, Brit in US

You are an inspiration to all us young-uns! What an amazing life! Deni aged 42 and a bit
Deni Riach, UK

From one Richard to another, very many happy returns. I still love watching Brighton Rock in which you were unforgettable. Have a very happy birthday with your friends and family.
richard , northern ireland

All the very best . you're a wonderful human being. God be with you.
Charles Paulin, UK

Greetings and a very Happy Birthday, to Lord Attenborough, Magnificent Actor, Great Director, and a "TRUE BRIT" - from all the players and Chelsea fans who play for Streetsville Strollers F.C.
Jimmy Hamilton, Canada

Happy Birthday, Lord Richard. Classics as Loot, Rillington Place, Brighton Rock, Gandi and the many others have defined what quality British made films are. What a great career, long may it continue!
Max, Brighton, UK.

Sir Richard, You belong in an absolutely "royal" category in the arts. I dream of you being one of the first to make a monumental film in Afghanistan. We need an inspirational artist to do Ahmed Shah Massoud's story. Many, many more happy birthdays for you. Your devoted fan,
Setara Delawari, Afghanistan

From Portugal to the UK, Happy Birthday Lord Richard...
Sonia, Portugal

Happy Birthday Lord Attenborough.I admire all your work in movies, both as an actor and as a director.May you have many more years of sucess
wade, canada

Many happy returns on your 80th birthday, Lord Attenborough! May you enjoy good health, family and friends for many years to come. Thank you for all your wonderful work in films -- especially "Gandhi" and "The Great Escape", two of my favourites. It's a real treat to be able to send you warm greetings on this milestone in a distinguished life. God bless you! A Canadian admirer,
Patricia Gonzalez, Canada

Happy 80th Birthday, Lord Attenborough: I still enjoy any of your "old" movies that come onto television in California. In speaking with folks here, it is obvious you are a very popular actor, and a very admired and respected person. Happy Birthday, Enjoy!
Brenda Brown, Carlsbad, California, USA

Its many years since I used to see you on the train to Cardif---You have acomplished so much, you deserve it all---happy birthday young man.
Graham J Wheatland, TUCSON-USA

Happy Birthday to Dickie, My grandmother used to serve you as waiter while you stayed at Gloucester Hotel during 1940s times. I enjoyed your films and Shape the deaf art organsation set up Deaf Theatre School to train deaf people to become actors, writers and so on. I enjoyed the course. Keep the good work with your filmmaking.
Lizzie Green, England (deaf trainee actor)

Wish you a happy B'day Lord Attenborough, Gandhi is the greatest gift to Indians and to what Gandhi stood for.Many Indians are convinced that it would be difficult to potray Gandhi as you did , even if an Indian tried an hand at it.
siddesh, India

Happy Birthday Lord Attenborough. I watched Gandhi the other night on uk television. I am 34 and now of an age where this epic film was very much appreciated for my own inner self. I have to add it to my personal collection so my own daugther Zarah can see a little more clearly than I a lot earlier in life. Many happy returns Lord Attenborough your sincerly Raymond Phillips.
Raymond Phillips, Perth Scotland.

Lord Richard, wishing you a very Happy Birthday and many years of health and happiness.
Anne, Sarnia, Ontario,Canada

Happy Birthday. My favorite memory of you is from The Great Escape. You made the character come alive, and having since met someone from that camp, the film and your part in it becomes even more astounding. All the best and many more happy years.
S SMALL, USA

Happy Birthday Lord Attenborough, you presented me with my degree in 2000, and your natural charm shone through as you masterfully conducted the ceremony with dignity and made it a great day.
Jonathan Harding, United Kingdom

Many Happy Returns Dickie. You've made some great movies over the years and entertained millions of people around the world. Difficult to pick a favourite film of yours but I did enjoy Grey Owl and A Bridge Too Far, and of course Brighton Rock and Miracle on 34th Street. How versatile is that? Have a wonderful birthday.
Mike Childs, Australia

Happy Birthday Lord Attenborough!! Your film career isunsurpassed. Too many to single one out. Have a wonderful day and here's to the next 80 years!!
Beverley Price, UK

Dear Lord Attenborough, have a wonderful day on your 80th. We had a drink at Bafta London before the second screening of In Love and War when you just recived the titles! You were so nice and I will take up your offer to come to see you in London when I am next over from Nice were I now live . Thanks again for all your support that day and very good health for the future. I will forward the DVD of my film "The Art Of Passion " (Unconditional Love) Winner of the Hamptons and New York Film Festivals as a small gift when it comes out in the states in october. All the very best,
Michael J Errington, Composer/Producer Fast Forward Productions France

You're not just a national treasure, you're an international treasure. Along with your brother, David, you're both prime examples of how human beings should carry themselves and you'll inspire people for hundreds of years to come. Keep up the good work.
Aron, Brit in the US

Happy Birthday Sir Richard. As someone 20 years younger,for me, you have always been there like a beacon of honesty and truth. When we look back on the your body of work (Brighton Rock,Oh What A Lovely War,Ghandi, Shadowlands),one can only say thank you. Sadly, in this 'art starved' country we can only get a small amount of your work on DVD. I would love it if all of your films were available on the latest medium. I for one would save up for it. Thank You !!!!
David Tollitt, Australian

You will always be Father Christmas to me. Happy birthday Chris Cringle.
Sheila, UK

My memory of you, Sir Richard, is from many years ago when I was the receptionist at Alfa Romeo on Sloane Street, where your brother John was a director. You called many times to speak with John, and it was the highlight of my day as you were so upbeat, cheerful and a joy to speak with. And, you always identified yourself as "Dickie" - who could resist you? Not me! Anyway, have a wonderful birthday and may this be your best year ever. Love to you from a longtime fan,
Dona Ventura, U.S.A.

Best wishes for a Great Birthday and Many More
Pat Muschert, Usa

Best Regards on your Birthday! I have admired your work for years, as both actor & director.
Wayne, USA

There are very few "stars" left to watch on stage and on film and you are definitely one of the few. You have brought so much pleasure to so many of us, thank you!! Have a very happy birthday.
ellen morrison, Canada