Sunil Thapa, immortalised as ‘Rate Kaila’, dies at 68

Kathmandu, Feb. 8:  Veteran actor Sunil Thapa passed away on Saturday at the age of 68.

He suffered a sudden health complication early Saturday morning and was rushed to Norvic Hospital in Thapathali for treatment. 

“Since he had to leave for a film shoot in the morning, he had asked an assistant who stayed with him to wake him up early. When the assistant went to wake him, Thapa was found unconscious and was immediately taken to the hospital. After preliminary examinations, doctors declared him dead,” Film Artists’ Association President Mohan Niraula said. 

Actor Thapa is survived by his wife Rajani Limbu, a son and a daughter. His family members live in Mumbai, India. 

Thapa had been actively involved in Nepali and Indian cinema for decades, and his untimely demise has left the entire Nepali arts and film fraternity in shock. He was widely respected for giving depth, recognition and dignity to antagonistic roles in Nepali films, earning acclaim comparable to that of lead actors.

He was especially popular among audiences for his iconic role as ‘Rate Kaila’, which became one of the most memorable villains in Nepali cinema. Through his strong screen presence and distinctive acting style, Thapa earned a unique place for himself in the film industry. Filmmaker   Prakash Sayami said that he was the man of the script and would do justice with his roles through superb acting that looked natural. 

“He established himself as a realist villain. His contributions to the Indian cinema have also been greatly recognised,” he said. Thapa acted in two cinemas – Sapana and Trishna – directed by Sayami. 

The Film Development Board said in a statement that Sunil Thapa left an indelible mark on the history of Nepali cinema through his powerful, profound and lifelike portrayals of antagonistic characters. 

“His role as ‘Raate Kaila’ in the film Chino (1989) will forever be remembered as a timeless and iconic character in Nepali cinema. By performing successfully in both Nepali and Hindi (Bollywood) films, he made a significant contribution to elevating Nepali artists to the international stage,” said the Board. 

According to the Board, Thapa took the definition of a ‘villain’ in Nepali cinema to new heights.  His passing represents an irreparable loss to the Nepali art, culture, and film sectors. 

A remarkable career

In his extensive acting career, spanning more than 138 films, his notable Nepali works include Mashal, Chino, Deuki, Thuldai, Sannani, Paribhasha, Mahadevi, Saraswati, Aago, Anyaya, Ta Ta Sarai Bigris Ni Badri, Yo Mayako Sagar, Naari, Rudraksha, and Prem Geet 3. His prominent Hindi films include Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Aaj Ki Awaaz, Albela, Naseebwala and Mary Kom. 

He also played Bhojpuri movies like Nirahua Chalal London, Sarkar Raj and Sher-E Hindustan.

The Indian audience and media has recognised him for his acting as a coach of Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the biopic of boxing player Mary Kom, and as David Khuju in The Family Man 3. He was nominated at the Filmfare Awards for his supporting role in Mary Kom.

Sunil Thapa started his career as a photojournalist for JS Magazine in India during the 1970s and covered the historic Bhutan Coronation in 1974. News X World writes, “He also built a career as a model for leading fabric brands and played professional football for Bombay clubs.” 

It also noted that Thapa’s character in The Family Man 3 played a crucial role in the storyline and left a lasting impact on viewers. Manoj Bajpayee, Thapa’s co-star in The Family Man 3, has paid an emotional tribute to him. Prominent Indian media, including India Today, Hindustan Times, Times of India and India TV, have given extensive coverage to the news of Thapa’s demise. 

In 1981, he debuted in cinema from Hindi film Ek Duje Ke Liye. However, Sayami said that Dev Anand had signed him for a short role in Saheb Bahadur. “He had come to Nepal to play a role in Ananya - a movie of Bishwo Basnet. But as the shooting of the movie was delayed, Thapa signed a movie ‘Mashal’ (1982) being made by the Sikkim Film Corporation which became his first movie in Nepali language,” said Sayami. He was with Narendra Shrestha and Bishwo Tuladhar then. 

He served as the chairperson of the Everest Film Academy and contributed to Nepali cinema. Thapa’s last cinematic appearance was in Eklo, a Nepali sci-fi movie. He was briefly seen in the recent Telugu sci-fi movie Mirai. 

Reel turns real 

Veteran actor Nir Shah remembered Thapa as a bosom friend and a good human being. 

He mentioned a tragic coincidence connecting the death where Thapa’s shooting schedule for Saturday turned into reality. Thapa was busy doing Ram Nam Satya Ho, for the past few weeks. On Friday evening, Thapa was to do a scene in which his body would be lit in pyre, but when they did not manage time, they postponed it for Saturday.  And on Saturday, Thapa had to be cremated in real!

Actor Saroj Khanal was greatly shocked by the news of Thapa's demise. 

"I have not overcome the shock yet from the sad news," Khanal told The Rising Nepal Saturday evening. Khanal and Thapa were to meet on Saturday. But when Khanal woke up, he heard the bad news, and rushed to Norvic Hospital, where his body was kept. 

"I paid tribute to his mortal body, and came home," Khanal said. According to Khanal, Thapa was a guardian actor for him. He also did several films with Thapa, including Sannani and Paribhasha. 

Likewise, actor Bhuwan KC said in a social media post that Sunil was not only an artist to him but also a good friend. 

He recalled spending many close moments with Sunil on numerous film sets after they first worked together in the Nepali film Chino, and said that they also collaborated on films he himself produced. 

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress mourned senior actor Sunil Thapa’s death. Party president Gagan  Kumar Thapa said the loss shocked him, calling it an irreplaceable blow to Nepali and Indian cinema.