Malayalam film director Manu James, 31, dies days before release of his debut film ‘Nancy Rani’
Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam filmmaker 31-year-old Joseph Manu James, who was reportedly under treatment for hepatitis, died at Rajagiri hospital in Aluva, Ernakulam, on February 25.
The director’s debut venture ‘Nancy Rani’ is set for release in a few days.
The son of James Joseph and Cicily Joseph of Kuravilangad, James was married to Naina Manu James.
James debuted in the film industry as a child actor and worked in Sabu James’ movie ‘I Am Curious’ as a child artiste. He also worked as an assistant director of Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi movies.
His funeral took place in Ernakulam on Sunday afternoon at the Major Archiepiscopal Marth Mariam Archdeacon Church, Kuravilangad.
Aju Varghese, who worked with the late director in the new movie, paid his condolences on learning about James’ untimely death.
"Gone too soon brother. Prayers," Varghese posted on Instagram.
Ahaana Krishna, who starred in ‘Nancy Rani’, also expressed her sorrow on Instagram, posting, "Rest in peace Manu! This shouldn't have happened to you."
Veteran actors like Sreenivasan, Lal, Lena and Indrans have also paid tributes to the deceased director.
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Marsh, Markram score half-centuries as LSG make 203/8 against MI
Lucknow, Apr 4 (PTI): Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya scalped his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket in an inspiring bowling performance but Lucknow Super Giants rode on superb half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram to post 203 for 8 in an Indian Premier League match here on Friday.
Pandya returned with magnificent figures of 5/36, taking the wickets of Markram (53 off 38 balls), Nicholas Pooran (12), Rishabh Pant (2), David Miller (27) and Akash Deep (0), putting brakes on LSG's innings after the home team was put in to bat.
LSG were off to a great start with opener Marsh hitting his third half-century in four matches. His 60 came off just 31 balls and was studded with nine fours and two sixes.
With the other opener Markram also in good nick, LSG were 69 for no loss at the end of power play. But MI came back after that with Pandya making crucial bowling changes.
Left-arm wrist spinner Vignesh Puthur, who had starred in MI's win over Chennai Super Kings, was introduced in the seventh over and he gave the breakthrough immediately. He had Marsh caught and bowled, breaking the dangerous-looking opening stand of 76 runs.
Pandya then brought himself into action and had Pooran in the ninth over before getting the prized wicket of LSG captain Pant (2) who got out cheaply once again.
Substitute fielder Corbin Bosch took a fine catch at the mid-off after Pant failed to negotiate a slower ball off Pandya. Pant, who faced six balls, continued his poor form, having scored 0, 15, 2 in his three earlier innings.
LSG were 107 for 3 in 10.4 overs when Pant was out.
Markram, who had been ordinary so far, stood up for his team and held one end together till he was out in the 18th over.
Earlier, Deepak Chahar gave away 15 runs in the second over with Marsh hitting two fours and Markram getting a boundary.
Marsh was on fire as he punished Trent Boult with two clean hits -- one yielding a six and another a four.
The Australian did not spare Mitchell Santner, hitting two fours off the Kiwi bowler and then gave young Indian left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar, who had starred in MI's previous match, the same treatment.
He hit Kumar for a six and a four in consecutive balls in the sixth over to reach to his fifty off just 27 balls. Kumar bled 23 runs in that over.
MI stalwart and India captain Rohit Sharma, who had struggled in the three matches he had played so far, missed out the match as he was hit on knees at the nets.
Brief scores:
Lucknow Super Giants: 203 for 8 in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 60, Aiden Markram 53, Ayush Badoni 30, David Miller 27; Hardik Pandya 5/36).
