Aamir Khan says his 3 Idiots role not based on Wangchuk amid his hunger strike

Aamir Khan said Phunsukh Wangdu in 3 Idiots was not based on activist Sonam Wangchuk. His remarks revived the old debate even as concern grew over Wangchuk's 20-day hunger strike.Aamir Khan says 3 Idiots character was not based on Sonam Wangchuk. (Photo credit [R]: PTI)Actor Aamir Khan, at an event on Thursday, said that his character Phunsukh Wangdu in the 2009 film, 3 Idiots, was not based on activist Sonam Wangchuk, calling it a misconception that, he added, Wangchuk himself has clarified in the past. Khan made the remarks while reacting for the first time to Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike at Jantar Mantar against irregularities in NEET exam.At the same time, Khan said the focus should be on Wangchuk’s health, as the activist’s indefinite fast entered its 20th day on Friday. He said Wangchuk’s work did not need any connection with 3 Idiots for people to respect him.Responding to a question at a British Film Institute event, held in England, Khan clarified, “That is a misconception. I know I saw a video of Chatur (Omi Vaidya) recently. He is wrong. Neither director Rajkumar Hirani, nor writer Abhijat Joshi knew Wangchuk while making the film.”For years, many have believed that Khan’s character Phunsukh Wangdu was inspired by Sonam Wangchuk. The discussion resurfaced after US-based actor Omi Vaidya, who played Chatur in 3 Idiots, recently extended support to Wangchuk and said that Phunsukh Wangdu had been based on him. Vaidya also shared his pictures with Wangchuk. At the BFI event, Khan said Wangchuk’s work should be respected regardless of any perceived link with 3 Idiots. “Mr Sonam has also said before that the character is not about him,” Khan said, adding that everyone was concerned about Wangchuk’s life and health and hoped he would end his fast.The actor said, "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." Wangchuk, however, has repeatedly said that while the film may have been influenced by his work, the character was not his story. During an appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati, he said, “If you say inspired, then I won’t deny it. A lot of people say the film is based on me, but I don’t agree with that. The right word is that it may have been inspired or influenced. At the same time, I don’t want people in this country to accept something simply because it is associated with a film. So even if the film is influenced by me, I am not very proud of it. And if it is not inspired by me, I don’t regret it either.”Wangchuk has been in the headlines over his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which began on June 28. He is demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak. He has continued the fast despite reports of deteriorating health and growing calls from politicians and Bollywood celebrities regarding his protest.- EndsPublished On: Jul 17, 2026 08:22 IST