Actor Thinley Lhondup passed away on Sunday. It is reported that the septuagenarian fell from his horse in the morning while traveling home to Saldang VDC from Chepka in Phoksundo VDC in Dolpa. The actor was the protagonist of the 1999 film ‘Himalaya’ popularly known as ‘Caravan’ directed by French filmmaker Eric Valli. He played an ageing village chief from Dolpa and won accolades for his performance as the strong traditional chief. ‘Caravan’ was the first Nepali film to be nominated for the prestigious Academy Awards. It was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category at the 72nd Academy Awards but lost to the Spanish film ‘All About My Mother.’ Even though Thinley became popular popularity after the film, his life remained unchanged. He wanted to continue acting while remaining in Upper Dolpa but no big offers ever came his way. After ‘Caravan,’ Nepalis will fondly remember Thinley for starring in folk rock band Nepathya’s popular music video for ‘Sa Karnali’ in 2003. He was also part of the Nepali film ‘Eku Back Again’ in 2012. Police were preparing to bring Caravan actor Thinley's body to Dunai, district headquarters of Jumla on Monday.