The film fraternity in Nepal and India is mourning the loss of veteran actor Sunil Thapa, who passed away in Kathmandu at the age of 68. The actor, widely respected for his decades-long contribution to Nepali cinema and known to global audiences for his role in Mary Kom (2014), died on Friday morning after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.
According to The Kathmandu Post, Thapa was undergoing treatment at Norvic Hospital in Thapathali when his health deteriorated suddenly. Hospital officials confirmed that he was brought in unconscious, and an ECG conducted at 7:44 a.m. confirmed his death. While doctors suspect a heart attack, a detailed medical report is still awaited.
Born in Dang, Nepal, Sunil Thapa’s career spanned over four decades, during which he appeared in more than 300 Nepali films. He emerged as one of the most recognisable faces in the industry, with his portrayal of the antagonist Rate Kaila in the 1991 film Chino becoming a defining moment in his career and earning cult status among audiences.
Before establishing himself as a leading actor in Nepal, Thapa began his professional journey as a model in Mumbai in the mid-1970s. He made his film debut with Ek Duuje Ke Liye in 1981 and went on to feature in several Hindi films. International recognition followed years later when he played coach Narjit Singh in Mary Kom, starring Priyanka Chopra.
In recent years, Thapa continued to remain active on screen and was last seen in a brief role in The Family Man Season 3, where he portrayed David Khuzou, a prominent leader and MCA chief in Nagaland.
