No spine... : Aamir Khan faces political heat over remarks on Sonam Wangchuk

Aamir Khan's clarification about the inspiration behind his iconic '3 Idiots' character has opened a fresh political and public debate, with opposition leaders, activists and social media users sharply questioning his timing and response.Aamir Khan faces political backlash over Sonam Wangchuk and 3 Idiots remarks.Aamir Khan is facing a political backlash over his remarks on Sonam Wangchuk, with opposition leaders targeting the actor after he denied that the iconic character of Phunsukh Wangdu in '3 Idiots' was based on the Ladakh educationist and innovator.Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha accused Khan of taking years to clarify the inspiration behind the character and said that "having a spine in front of the State is not an easy option"."How many years did it take them to tell this? How many years? I don't remember. How many years ago did this film come out? And this was the news till today? To every child, every atom? Today you should understand that this should be said," Jha said, PTI reported."It clearly shows that in the face of the power struggle, it is not an easy task to keep the grid straight for everyone," he added. Jha also urged Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, saying the issue was part of a "long fight" and a "long struggle"."As far as this is concerned, yesterday our leadership also appealed and said to them, because see, this hunger strike, it is useful in the power that has compassion. In the power that has compassion, whether it is dead or alive, in front of it, any democratic instrument like this does not work," he said. "Therefore, it should be emphasised that this is a long fight, a long struggle. You should think about this decision and end the hunger strike now," Jha added.AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also launched a sharp attack on Khan following his remarks."Aamir Khan or any Pathan doesn't have guts to speak against govt, fears ED raid. All Khans Pathans have bowed before BJP. He left with BJP. What was his name? Yusuf Pathan. Even Yusuf Pathan is now with BJP," Singh said.Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Husain Dalwai also questioned Khan's remarks, asking why the actor appeared to be "so scared"."He is wrong... I didn't know he was so scared. Aamir Khan is one of my favourite actors and producers but I wonder why he is so scared. Sonam Wangchuk has been sitting on a hunger strike for so many days. He should express sympathy with him and support him," Dalwai said.Advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan also criticised Khan's response in a post on X."Finally Aamir Khan was asked about Sonam Wangchuk's fast. His response though polite was tepid. He is now a pale shadow of the person who made '3 Idiots' and many other revolutionary films, and the programme 'Satyamev Jayate'," Bhushan wrote.Former Congress leader Sanjay Jha also mocked Khan's remarks, comparing them to the relationship between the 1982 film 'Gandhi' and Mahatma Gandhi."Now Aamir Khan says Phunsukh Wangdu in '3 Idiots' is not inspired by Sonam Wangchuk. Correct. Just like 'Gandhi', the 1982 film is not based on Mahatma Gandhi," he posted on X.WHAT DID AAMIR KHAN SAY?The political attacks came after Khan spoke about Wangchuk during an appearance at the London Indian Film Festival.The actor said the belief that Phunsukh Wangdu was based on Wangchuk was a misconception and that he, director Rajkumar Hirani and writer Abhijat Joshi did not know the Ladakh-based innovator when they made the film."No, that's not true actually. That is a misconception. I didn't know about Mr Sonam at that time when we were doing this film '3 Idiots'... However, what Mr Sonam is doing is good work in any case. He doesn't have to be based on the character of '3 Idiots' for us to respect him and the work that he does," Khan said.Asked about Wangchuk's hunger strike, Khan said, "I think all of us are very concerned for his health... We hope that it ends well. All of us are hoping he ends his fast and looks after his health."The remarks triggered criticism from politicians, activists and social media users, many of whom questioned why the distinction between Wangchuk and the character had been made years after the release of the 2009 film.SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION SPLITSThe controversy also spilled onto social media, where users were divided over Khan's clarification.Some accused the actor of distancing himself from Wangchuk, with one user calling him an "absolute coward".Another described Khan's response as "evasive" and questioned how "real-life heroes of reels" could appear different from their on-screen image.Others, however, defended the actor and argued that there was no evidence that the character of Phunsukh Wangdu was directly based on Wangchuk.Some users pointed to an old interview in which director Rajkumar Hirani said the character was inspired by a student who attended the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in a friend's name after the friend was unable to enrol."This film was based on a student who wanted to get into the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He couldn't get admission, but his friend did," Hirani had said."But his friend's father didn't allow him to join the institute. So the boy attended the institute in his friend's place. After three years, he was caught and denied a degree. He said, 'I am not here for a degree. I am here for education'," he added.WANGCHUK'S HUNGER STRIKEWangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after joining the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.According to the latest medical bulletin, the activist has lost more than nine kilograms since beginning his fast.Several film personalities, including Zeenat Aman, Shabana Azmi, Sonakshi Sinha and Abhay Deol, have appealed to the government to open a dialogue with him.- EndsWith inputs from agencies.Published By: Sonali VermaPublished On: Jul 17, 2026 16:25 IST