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Joseph Manu James Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth11 June 1991

Age31 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceKottayam, Kerala, India

ProfessionDirector

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseNyna Manu James

FamilyFather: James Joseph; Mother: Cicily James; Brother: Philips James; Sister: Minna James

Joseph Manu James Biography

Joseph Manu James was an Indian filmmaker from Kottayam, Kerala. He began in Malayalam cinema as a child artist, worked across Indian and international TV/

Early life and background

Joseph Manu James was born on 11 June 1991 in Kottayam, Kerala, India. He grew up in Kottayam and attended Labour India Gurukulam Public School in Marangattupilly. For higher education he studied at Mangalam College of Engineering in Ettumanoor, and later attended Christ University in Bengaluru. Joseph also spent time studying in the United States at Houston Community College (Stafford Campus) and the University of Houston.

He came from a family rooted in Kerala. His parents were James Joseph and Cicily James. Joseph had at least two siblings: a brother, Philips James, who worked in film as a director and editor, and a sister, Minna James. During his college years at Christ University he performed with a college band called Rocks.

Career

Joseph entered the Malayalam film world as a child artist, appearing in the 2004 film I Am Curious. After his early acting work from roughly 2003 to 2006, he transitioned to behind-the-camera roles and assisted a number of film directors on projects in Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam.

In 2014 Joseph joined Reliance Entertainment as an assistant director. A year later he left that company and took on several roles with MTV India, working as a field director, program presenter and also contributing as a bass guitarist. In 2016 he moved into the U.S.-based media space, joining Rockstar Film Company as a filmmaker and becoming associated with the Indo-American Press Club as a journalist representing media professionals of Indian origin working internationally.

Joseph made his directorial debut in Malayalam with the film Nancy Rani, released in 2023. Nancy Rani is listed as his first film as a director and is noted as his last film credit.

Public profile

Joseph was known professionally as Manu James or Joseph Manu James, and he was also referred to by the nickname Benhur. He was of Indian nationality and practiced Christianity. Physically, he was described as approximately 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall, with black eyes and black hair. His zodiac sign was Gemini.

Personal life

Joseph married Nyna Manu James on 6 January 2018. At the time of his passing he was married. His hometown and birthplace are both recorded as Kottayam, Kerala.

Death

Joseph Manu James died on 24 February 2023 at Rajagiri Hospital in Kerala. He was 31 years old. In February 2023 he had been admitted for pneumonia and during treatment was diagnosed with hepatitis; hepatitis is reported as the cause of death. His funeral took place on 26 February 2023 at the Major Archiepiscopal Marth Mariam Archdeacon Church in Kuravilangad, Kerala.

Latest updates

Joseph’s directorial debut Nancy Rani was released in 2023 and stands as his final film credit. Earlier years of his career included work across Indian media companies and a move to Houston, Texas in 2020, where he lived and studied before returning to India for treatment in 2023.
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Recent Work

Nancy Rani

Directorial debut and listed as his last film; Malayalam film released in 2023.

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Child artist in Malayalam film I Am Curious (2004)
  2. Assistant director at Reliance Entertainment (2014)
  3. Field director and presenter at MTV India (2015)
  4. Filmmaker at Rockstar Film Company (2016)
  5. Directorial debut Nancy Rani (2023)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Joseph Manu James born?

11 June 1991

What is Joseph Manu James known for?

Director

What is Joseph Manu James’s marital status?

Married (at time of death)

Who is Joseph Manu James married to?

Nyna Manu James