A hunger strike has been underway for more than three weeks at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with renowned Ladakhi education reformer and social activist Sonam Wangchuk among those participating.
Concerns over Wangchuk’s health have been growing, with several Bollywood celebrities, including Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and Sonakshi Sinha, expressing their support and concern.
At the same time, many in India questioned why Bollywood’s “Mr. Perfectionist,” Aamir Khan, had remained silent on the issue, especially since his iconic character Rancho from the 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots has long been believed to have been inspired by Sonam Wangchuk.
Aamir Khan has now addressed the controversy.
Speaking at the London premiere of one of his films, Aamir responded to a question that has fueled debate among movie fans for years.
When asked whether his famous character Rancho (Phunsukh Wangdu) in 3 Idiots was based on educator and social activist Sonam Wangchuk, Aamir firmly rejected the claim, calling it a “misunderstanding.”
According to The Times of India, Aamir said many people believe the central character of 3 Idiots was directly based on Wangchuk’s life, but that was not the case.
He explained that Rancho was not modeled on any single real-life individual, but was instead a fictional character created to serve the film’s story.
“I have immense respect for Sonam Wangchuk,” Aamir said, “but respecting someone does not mean a film character has to be based on them.”
He also expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health, saying he hoped the activist would recover soon and that his hunger strike would conclude peacefully.
“Differences of opinion are natural, but human life and health are far more important,” he added.
Released in 2009 and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, 3 Idiots became a massive box-office success and sparked a nationwide conversation about India’s education system.
In the film, Aamir played Phunsukh Wangdu, also known as Rancho, a character who champions creativity, innovation, and practical learning over rote memorization.
After the film’s release, many believed the character had been inspired by Sonam Wangchuk, the Ladakh-based engineer, inventor, and education reform advocate. However, the filmmakers have offered differing explanations over the years regarding the inspiration behind the character.
According to The Indian Express, Wangchuk himself has previously stated that he is not Phunsukh Wangdu.
He said he was never consulted during the making of the film and does not consider the association to be part of his identity.
Wangchuk also explained that he chose not to pursue the matter legally because it would have sent the wrong message.
“I am Sonam Wangchuk,” he said unequivocally.
Aamir Khan’s latest remarks have reignited the debate on social media.
Some users supported his stance, arguing that fictional characters are often a blend of several real-life personalities and a writer’s imagination, making it inappropriate to attribute them to one individual.
Others, however, cited past interviews and videos, arguing that while Rancho may not have been entirely based on Sonam Wangchuk, the character clearly appears to have been influenced by his personality and work.
Meanwhile, 3 Idiots has also returned to the spotlight for another reason.
Reports suggest that Rajkumar Hirani is working on a sequel to the film, and Aamir Khan has confirmed that development is underway, although the script has yet to be finalized.
Aamir’s brief but unequivocal statement at the London premiere has revived a debate that has continued for nearly a decade and a half.
Regardless of whether Rancho was inspired by a single real-life individual, the character left a lasting impact on millions of viewers by encouraging creativity, innovation, and the courage to challenge conventional approaches to education—widely regarded as one of the film’s greatest achievements.
The London event also marked the 25th anniversary celebration of Aamir Khan’s blockbuster Lagaan, during which attendees also revisited discussions about 3 Idiots.
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