Aamir Khan rejects link between 3 Idiots role and Sonam Wangchuk

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has dismissed claims that his popular character Phunsukh Wangdu from the 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots was inspired by Ladakhi engineer, educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The actor clarified the issue while speaking at an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of his film Lagaan. During the interaction, he was asked about recent claims linking the fictional character to Wangchuk, who is currently on a prolonged hunger strike in New Delhi.

Khan said the belief that Phunsukh Wangdu was based on Sonam Wangchuk is incorrect. He explained that neither he nor the film’s director Rajkumar Hirani or writer Abhijat Joshi knew Wangchuk when 3 Idiots was written and produced.

His remarks came after actor Omi Vaidya, who played Chatur Ramalingam in 3 Idiots, posted a video on social media expressing support for Wangchuk. The post suggested that Wangchuk was the real-life inspiration behind Phunsukh Wangdu and highlighted concerns about the activist’s health during his hunger strike.

Responding to the post, Khan said Vaidya may have been under a misunderstanding. He stressed that the filmmakers never modelled the character on Wangchuk and that there was no connection between the activist and the creation of Phunsukh Wangdu.

Sonam Wangchuk has also previously denied being involved with the film. He has said that although many people have pointed out similarities between his life and the fictional character, he did not work with the filmmakers and was never consulted during the development of the movie.

Wangchuk has revealed that he met Aamir Khan in Mumbai in 2008. During that meeting, he discussed the idea of producing a film highlighting the heavy financial cost of the long-running conflict over the Siachen Glacier. He believed such a film could encourage greater investment in education and development rather than military spending. However, the project was never pursued.

The activist, who is internationally known for his work in sustainable development and artificial glacier technology, is currently leading a hunger strike in New Delhi. He is protesting alongside members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and demanding accountability over a major examination paper leak. The protesters are also calling for the resignation of India’s Education Minister.

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