Veteran Nepali actor Sunil Thapa, 68, passed away on Saturday morning in Kathmandu.
Thapa was rushed to Norvic Hospital in Thapathali after he was found unconscious in his apartment in Shankhamul. Hospital officials confirmed that he died while undergoing treatment, showing the symptoms cardiac arrest.
According to Rajendra Bahadur Singh, chairperson of Norvic Hospital, Thapa was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state. An electrocardiogram conducted at 7:44 am confirmed his death.
“He was unconscious when he was brought in. An ECG was done immediately, which confirmed his death,” said a statement issued by the hospital.
Hospital authorities said a formal announcement of his death would be made after the arrival of his family members. Thapa’s sons are currently in India and are in the process of returning to Kathmandu. Following the news, relatives, colleagues, and members of the Nepali film fraternity gathered at the hospital to pay their respects.
A towering figure in Nepali cinema, Thapa appeared in more than 300 Nepali films over several decades. He was widely known for portraying antagonistic roles and became a household name after his iconic performance as ‘Rate Kaila’ in the film Chino. The character earned him cult status in the Nepali film industry and established him as one of its most sought-after villains.
His notable Nepali films include ‘Gorkha Paltan’, ‘Shikari’, ‘Shikari 2’, ‘Papi Manche’, ‘Papi Manche 2’, ‘Aljhechha Kyare Pachhauri’, ‘Dewar Babu’, ‘Karma Yodda’, among many others. His most recent screen appearance was in the Nepali film ‘Eklo’.
Beyond cinema, Thapa also worked extensively in television. He appeared in popular comedy series such as ‘Meri Bassai’ and ‘Captain’, showcasing his versatility as an actor beyond villainous roles.
Thapa’s career extended well beyond Nepalese border. He gained recognition in Bollywood and other regional film industries of India, including Tamil and Bhojpuri cinema. He made his Bollywood debut with ‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’ in 1981, a film that later came to be regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most impactful romantic tragedies. In ‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’, Thapa played the role of a librarian whose character becomes a barrier in the love story of the lead characters portrayed by Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri. Though his time in Bollywood was relatively brief, the role left a lasting impression, earning him recognition as a ‘cult’ villain whose performance deeply affected audiences and popular discourse at the time.