'Mary Kom' actor Sunil Thapa passes away at the age of 68

Sunil Thapa, the yesteryear actor passed away on Friday morning in Kathmandu at the age of 68. According to The Kathmandu Post, he suffered a suspected heart attack. The actor was undergoing treatment at Norvic Hospital in Thapathali. Despite medical efforts, he did not survive.With a good career spanning over four decades, Sunil was a known figure in Nepali cinema. He acted in more than 300 films. He worked not only in Nepali cinema but also in Bhojpuri and Bollywood films. Audiences also remember him for his role as a coach in the Priyanka Chopra-starrer 'Mary Kom'.His contribution to cinema remains unforgettable, and he will be remembered as one of Nepal’s most respected and versatile actors.According to the report, Sunil was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state. An ECG conducted at 7:44 am confirmed that the veteran actor had passed away. Doctors suspect cardiac arrest to be the cause of his death, though an official medical report is still awaited.“He was unconscious when he was brought in. An ECG was done immediately, which confirmed his death," stated the Post.Born in Dang, Nepal, Sunil Thapa enjoyed an extraordinary career that spanned over four decades. During his long journey in cinema, he worked across Nepali, Bollywood and Bhojpuri films, appearing in more than 300 Nepali movies alone.He was best known for his iconic role as ‘Rate Kaila’ in Chino, a performance that firmly established him as one of the most formidable and memorable villains in the industry.Before stepping into films, Sunil Thapa began his career as a model in Mumbai in the mid-1970s. He made his acting debut with the Hindi film Ek Duuje Ke Liye in 1981 and later featured in several Bollywood projects, including Aaj Ki Awaaz, Manav Hatya and Albela.He also appeared in the 2014 Priyanka Chopra-starrer Mary Kom, where he played her coach, Narjit Singh. More recently, he made a brief appearance in The Family Man Season 3, portraying David Khuzou, a respected leader and MCA Chief in Nagaland.In Nepali cinema, Sunil Thapa delivered several memorable performances in films such as Chino, Deuki, Thuldai, Yo Maya Ko Sagar and Prem Geet 3, among others.Apart from acting, he remained deeply involved with the film fraternity and also served as the chairperson of the Everest Film Academy.