Priyanka Chopra's Mary Kom co-star Sunil Thapa PASSES AWAY at the age of 68

Veteran actor Sunil Thapa was a towering presence in Nepali cinema whose career spanned decades and genres. Known for his intense screen presence and remarkable versatility, Thapa carved a distinct identity for himself through memorable performances that left a lasting impact on audiences. From mainstream cinema to international projects, his contribution to the world of films remained both influential and far reaching.

The film fraternity and his admirers were left in deep shock on Friday morning after news broke that Sunil Thapa passed away at the age of 68. The actor reportedly suffered a sudden deterioration in health and was rushed to Norvic Hospital in Thapathali, Kathmandu. The chairperson of the hospital Rajendra Bahadur Singh confirmed that Thapa was brought in an unconscious condition and an ECG conducted at 7:44 am declared him dead.

Over the years Thapa emerged as one of the most prolific actors in Nepali cinema with appearances in more than 300 films. Among his many roles the character of Rate Kaila in the film Chino proved to be a defining moment in his career. The role earned him widespread acclaim and established him as an actor who could portray antagonistic characters with depth and conviction.

Thapa also made his mark beyond Nepal. Indian audiences remember him for his role as the coach in the biographical sports drama Mary Kom where he shared screen space with Priyanka Chopra. His performance was widely appreciated and earned him a Filmfare Awards nomination. He had earlier debuted in Bollywood with Ek Duuje Ke Liye and later featured in several Hindi Tamil and Bhojpuri films. His recent works include Eklo and the role of David Khuju in the upcoming season of Family Man 3.

Before stepping into acting Thapa worked as a photojournalist for JS magazine. He also explored modeling for fabric brands and was actively involved in professional football. Sunil Thapa is survived by his wife son and daughter. His family who is currently based in Mumbai is reportedly travelling to Nepal.