Veteran Nepali actor Sunil Thapa passed away on Saturday morning in Kathmandu. He was 68.

Thapa was rushed to Norvic Hospital in Thapathali after he was found unconscious in his apartment in Shankhamul. Hospital officials confirmed that he died during treatment, with doctors suspecting cardiac arrest as the cause of death.

Rajendra Bahadur Singh, chairperson of Norvic Hospital, told the Post that 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,” a hospital source said.

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 Nepal. He gained recognition in Bollywood and other Indian film industries, 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.

Thapa later appeared in several Hindi films including ‘Manav Hatya’, ‘Aaj Ki Awaaz’, ‘Manu The Grey’, ‘Albela and Naseebwala’. He also featured in the biographical sports film ‘Mary Kom’, produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, where his performance earned him a Filmfare nomination and renewed attention in Indian cinema.

More recently, he appeared in Raj and DK’s web series ‘The Family Man Season 3’, alongside actor Manoj Bajpayee.

Before entering films, Thapa began his professional life in Mumbai in the mid-1970s as a model, working with major fabric brands. He was also actively involved in sports and played professional football for clubs in Bombay. In his early years, he worked as a photojournalist for JS Magazine (Junior Statesman) and covered the Bhutan Coronation in 1974.

Born in 1957, Thapa was also the chairperson of the Everest Film Academy, where he remained involved in mentoring and supporting aspiring filmmakers and actors.

Speaking to the Post, Actor Deepak Raj Giri remembered Thapa as a warm and generous presence in the industry. Although the two never shared the screen, Giri said they often met at award shows, where Thapa would always greet him affectionately as “hey brother.” He described Thapa as fun-loving, encouraging toward his co-actors and unfailingly positive. “He brought a sense of jolliness wherever he went,” Giri said, adding that he never once heard Thapa say he was tense or stressed.

Tributes poured in from across the film fraternity and beyond following news of his death.

Actor Priyanka Karki shared a childhood photograph with Thapa on Instagram, recalling that he played her father in her first film Mahadevi when she was just seven years old. “Some people enter your life through cinema, and quietly stay as family,” she wrote. “He remained a guiding presence long after the cameras stopped rolling. A gentle soul, a brilliant artist, gone too soon.”

Indian actor Manoj Bajpayee also expressed his grief on Instagram, remembering their time together on The Family Man Season 3. “It’s so so sad. God bless your soul sir. My third season TFM memories will live forever because of you,” he wrote.

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra shared a video tribute, describing Thapa as a mentor who supported her during a difficult period in her life. “You will always be my coach sir. You kept me together when I had just lost my dad. Your kindness and warmth will always be part of my memories,” she said.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also mourned Thapa’s passing, calling his performances, especially as Rate Kaila, “indelible” and stating that his legacy would continue to inspire generations of artists.

Social media platforms were flooded with condolence messages from fans, colleagues, and admirers, reflecting the profound impact Thapa had on Nepali and South Asian cinema.

While Sunil Thapa may be gone, his characters, performances, and contributions to cinema continue to live on in the stories, screens, and memories he leaves behind.

The story has been updated.