Priyanka Chopra pays tribute to Sunil Thapa, remembers his support after losing her father

Veteran Nepali actor Sunil Thapa, best known in India for playing Mary Kom’s coach in the 2014 biopic starring Priyanka Chopra, passed away on Saturday following a cardiac arrest. He died in Kathmandu. Thapa was 68. The news of his demise was confirmed by the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA), prompting condolences from across the Indian and Nepali film industries.

Priyanka Chopra took to social media to remember the actor with an emotional note, recalling their time together during the filming of Mary Kom. “You will always be my Coach Sir. You kept me together when I had just lost my dad,” she wrote. Chopra also spoke about Thapa’s quiet support during a difficult phase in her life, adding that his warmth and laughter would always remain part of her memories. She ended the note by offering condolences to his family and loved ones.

Along with her message, the actor shared a video clip from Mary Kom featuring one of Thapa’s most memorable scenes. In the clip, his character gifts boxing gloves to the young boxer and says, “20x20 ka duniya mai yeh tumhara pehli kamai hai,” a line that went on to resonate strongly with audiences and fans of the film.

Born in Dang, Nepal, Sunil Thapa had a prolific career spanning several decades. He acted in more than 300 Nepali films and was widely recognised for his intense villainous roles. One of his most iconic performances was as ‘Rate Kaila’ in the film Chino, a role that cemented his reputation as a powerful screen presence in Nepali cinema.

In Mary Kom, Thapa played the disciplined yet compassionate coach who helps shape the titular character into a professional boxer. Though not the central character, his performance added emotional depth to the narrative and was widely appreciated by viewers.

Thapa continued to work across industries later in his career. He was most recently seen in The Family Man Season 3, where he played David Khuzou, a respected leader and MCA chief in Nagaland. His performance marked another significant crossover moment for the veteran actor.

Sunil Thapa’s death marks the end of an era for Nepali cinema. His body of work, spanning hundreds of films and diverse roles, leaves behind a lasting legacy that continues to be remembered across borders.