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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Cong demands TN governor's sacking over his 'secularism is European concept' remark
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress Monday slammed as "outrageous and unacceptable" Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi's remark that "secularism is a European concept" and demanded his immediate sacking.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh claimed that Ravi is "only a trial balloon floater" and is echoing what Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to get done.
Ramesh's remarks came after Ravi said secularism is a European concept that evolved after a conflict between the church and the king whereas Bharat is a dharma-centric nation and therefore, it was not part of the Constitution but added during Emergency by "one insecure prime minister".
The Tamil Nadu governor, while addressing an event in the Kanyakumari district on Sunday, said a lot of frauds have been committed against the people of the country and one of those was a wrong interpretation of secularism.
Reacting to the remarks, Ramesh said, "This man, who has taken an oath on the Constitution and who -- inspite of his drumbeating -- remains a Constitutional functionary, should be sacked forthwith. He is a disgrace."
"This is not the first outrageous and unacceptable statement he has made. But he is only a trial balloon floater. He is echoing what the non-biological PM wants to get done," the Congress leader said.
Ravi had also said, "What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, secularism is not a Bharatiya concept."
Decades later, during Emergency (1975-77), "one insecure prime minister," introduced secularism in the Constitution in order to appease some sections of people, the Governor alleged.
Indira Gandhi was the prime minister during Emergency.
Ravi further said that secularism emerged in Europe as there was a fight between the church and the king and in order to end this conflict, which went on for a long time, this concept was evolved.
At the time of Independence, when the Constitution was being drafted, a discussion came up on secularism and the Constituent Assembly rejected it observing that Bharat is a dharma-centric country and there has been no conflict, similar to what was witnessed in Europe, Ravi had claimed.
