Aamir Khan says his character in ‘3 Idiots’ not based on Sonam Wangchuk: ‘Hoping that he ends his fast’

Actor Aamir Khan opened up about educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk during the closing ceremony of London Film Festival on Thursday. The actor clarified that his character, Rancho from Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots is not based on Mr. Wangchuk. Aamir also expressed his concern about Mr. Wangchuk’s health amid his ongoing hunger strike.

Aamir was present during the post-screening conversation of Lagaan at the festival where he was asked a question about the similarities between Mr. Wangchuk and Rancho. Responding to this, Aamir called it a misconception and said that he didn’t know about Mr. Wangchuk while doing the film.

“I saw a video of Chatur (Omi Vaidya) just recently, and he said that. But he is wrong. Maybe that is what Chatur was thinking, but I want to tell you that neither Raju nor Abhijat (Rajkumar Hirani or Abhijat Joshi), who are the two writers, we didn’t know about Mr Sonam. However, what Mr. Sonam is doing is good work in any case. He doesn’t have to be based on a character of 3 idiots for us to respect him and the work that he does. I wanted to share this from a factual point of view,” Aamir said.

The actor added, “All of us are very concerned for his health and his life. We hope it ends well. All of us are hoping that he ends his fast.”

Actor Omi Vaidya, who played Chatur in 3 Idiots, took to social media recently to talk about how Aamir’s character was inspired by Mr. Wangchuk. “Did you know that Funsukh Wangdu from 3 Idiots is actually based on a real-life Ladakhi engineer, innovator, educator and reformer named Sonam Wangchuk? I’ve met this guy. He’s a pretty interesting character. Right now he is on a very long hunger strike,” Vaidya was seen saying in the video that went viral online.

Mr. Wangchuk has been observing an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. Mr. Wangchuk’s health has been critical, however, he remained resolute saying that calling off his fast without any response from the government would send a wrong message. Instead, he urged people to strengthen the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed Parliament march on July 20.

Khan’s remarks are at variance with an account narrated by Mr. Wangchuk in a 2018 public talk, in which the education reformer said he had met the actor in 2008 at the CNN-IBN Real Heroes awards in Mumbai.

According to Mr. Wangchuk, he discussed with Khan the idea of making a film on Siachen and a documentary on his work was screened during the event, where Khan was present.

Mr. Wangchuk said that he was told by friends and journalists in December 2009 that a film about him had been made and that his school featured in it. On enquiring with his school, he learnt that members of the film’s team had visited the campus but were denied permission to shoot there because they planned to use a lot of plastic. The film was eventually shot at another nearby school, he said.

He also said he later came to know that the visit had taken place in April 2008 and shooting for the film began in August that year.

“I will leave it to you [the people] on the connection between this and the film,” Mr. Wangchuk had said. Mr. Wangchuk said he initially decided against writing to the filmmakers after learning of the dispute between the makers and author Chetan Bhagat over credit for the story, fearing that any communication from him would be seen as a claim for money.

He said he eventually wrote to the filmmakers about two years later, reminding them that they had met and referring to the film, but did not receive any response.

Cong, AAP, RJD slam Aamir Khan over clarification

Congress, RJD and AAP leaders on Friday (July 17, 2026) questioned actor Aamir Khan’s statement that his character in the film ‘3 Idiots’ was not based on education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, suggesting he was unwilling to take a stand out of fear of the ruling establishment.

RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha questioned the timing of Khan’s clarification.

“How many years did it take him to say this? Until now, everyone knew that [Wangchuk’s life inspired a character in 3 Idiots]. It shows that keeping one’s spine straight before those in power is not easy,” Mr. Jha told PTI.

Mr. Jha also referred to Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike, saying his party’s leadership had appealed to the activist to withdraw it as “there is no point holding a fast before a power that lacks compassion”.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also criticised the actor. “Whether it is Aamir Khan or anyone else, this Modi government has exposed everyone’s character. They have all bowed before it. They do not have the courage to speak,” Mr. Singh told PTI.

Congress leader Husain Dalwai said Khan should “learn from actor Naseeruddin Shah on how to speak fearlessly” and at least express sympathy for Wangchuk.

“I respect Aamir Khan as an actor and producer, but what is there to be scared of. At least extend some sympathy to Wangchuk,” Mr. Dalwai told PTI.

(With PTI inputs)