Sunil Thapa, ‘Ratey Kaila’ of Nepali Cinema, Dies at 65

Sunil Thapa, one of Nepal’s one of the most admired and recognizable film actors, died on Saturday following  a heart attack. He was 65. Mr. Thapa passed away at Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu, where he was taken after he had collapsed at home earlier in the morning.

Thapa was born on May 19, 1960, in Dang. He began his acting career in the early 1980s with from Hollywood . He acted in the Hindi film Ek Duuje Ke Liye, and soon after  he returned to Nepal to build a rich and varied body of work.

For more than 40 years, Mr. Thapa was a familiar face in Nepali movies. He earned deep admiration for playing strong, memorable characters ; especially villains who were more than just bad guys. His most famous role as “Ratey Kaila” in the film Chino became part of popular culture in Nepal, and many fans remember it as one of the most striking performances in Nepali cinema.

Thapa also acted in films outside Nepal, including in Bollywood and Bhojpuri cinema, bringing his talent to broader audiences in South Asia. His work helped put Nepali actors on the map beyond his home country.

Thapa also had a brief stint in journalism as a photographer. photo journalist . He was assigned to cover the coronation ceremony of King Jigme Singe Wanchuk of Bhutan in early seventies for Calcutta based Jr Statesman, edited by the legendary Desmond D’oig.

Expressing his deep condolences Photo journalist Bikash Rauniyar fondly remembers Thapa sharing how he had met Dev Anand saab who encouraged him to get into acting in cinema. He is known for his films like ‘Ek duje ke liye, Mary Kom and recently in Amazon series “the family man”’ says Rauniyar adding Thapa immensely contributed in many Nepali films including his iconic role as a Raate Kaainlaa in Chino movie.

Purnika RL Shah has also paid tribute to Actor Sunil Thapa through her facebook Handle.

Later in life, he  served as chairman of the Everest Film Academy, where he taught and encouraged young actors and filmmakers to follow their dreams with honesty and hard work. Colleagues said he took pride in helping others grow in an industry that he loved deeply.