Snehashish roy
Actor Aamir Khan has spoken out about education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike, expressing concern over his deteriorating health while also addressing the long-standing belief that his iconic 3 Idiots character, Phunsukh Wangdu, was based on Wangchuk. The actor clarified that the connection between the two has been widely misunderstood over the years.
Speaking at the London Indian Film Festival, Aamir said he was worried about Wangchuk’s health and hoped the activist would end his fast soon. He also stressed that irrespective of whether 3 Idiots was inspired by Wangchuk, he has immense respect for the educator and the work he has done over the years.
“I hope he ends his fast soon because I’m very concerned about his health,” Aamir said. “He doesn’t have to be based on the character for us to respect him. I have great respect for Sonam Wangchuk and everything he has achieved.”
The actor also dismissed the long-held perception that his character Rancho, also known as Phunsukh Wangdu, was directly modelled on Wangchuk. Calling it a misconception, Aamir explained that he was not aware of Wangchuk when 3 Idiots was being made and that the character was not created with the activist in mind.
According to Aamir, while the film’s makers may have later incorporated certain inventions associated with Wangchuk into the story, the character itself was not written as a portrayal of the educator. He added that over the years, the public has increasingly associated Wangchuk with Rancho, but that assumption is factually incorrect.
The clarification comes as Wangchuk continues his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in support of students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The activist began the fast on June 28, demanding greater accountability in the examination system and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Reports indicate that his health has deteriorated significantly during the protest, prompting widespread concern from supporters and public figures.
Wangchuk’s protest has attracted support from several members of the film industry in recent days. Actors including Omi Vaidya, Atul Kulkarni, Imran Khan and others have expressed solidarity with the activist, with some urging the government to initiate dialogue while also appealing to Wangchuk to end his fast in view of his declining health.
For years, Sonam Wangchuk has popularly been referred to as the “real-life Phunsukh Wangdu” because of his work in education and innovation. The comparison gained widespread attention after the release of 3 Idiots in 2009. However, both Wangchuk and Aamir have previously stated that the character was not directly based on the activist, despite certain similarities that fuelled public speculation.
Released in 2009, 3 Idiots, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, went on to become one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated films, with Aamir Khan portraying the unconventional engineering student Rancho. The film explored issues surrounding India’s education system and remains one of the actor’s most iconic performances.
Aamir’s latest remarks have revived the discussion around the film’s origins while shifting attention to Wangchuk’s ongoing protest. By separating the fictional character from the real-life activist, the actor sought to clear up a misconception that has persisted for nearly two decades. At the same time, he reiterated his admiration for Wangchuk’s contributions and voiced hope that the activist’s health improves as efforts continue to address the concerns raised by the ongoing protest.