Aamir Khan Says ‘3 Idiots’ Was NOT Inspired By Sonam Wangchuk, ‘I Didn’t Even Know Him At The Time’

Aamir Khan has been getting public backlash for the past few days over his alleged silence about Sonam Wangchuk, the educator and activist whose hunger strike entered its 19th day today. The criticism intensified this week after Omi Vaidya’s public appeal in support of Wangchuk, urging, “I don’t want Phunsukh Wangdu to die.” 

Omi, who played ‘Chatur Ramalingam’ in Rajkumar Hirani’s 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots, implied that the character of ‘Phunsukh Wangdu’ aka ‘Rancho’, played by Aamir Khan, was inspired by the real-life story of Sonam Wangchuk. However, now the superstar says it was not the case. 

Aamir Khan says Sonam Wangchuk did not inspire 3 Idiots

Speaking during a question-and-answer session at the British Film Institute following a special screening of Lagaan, Aamir Khan dismissed the widely circulated claim, calling it a “misconception.” Responding to a question about Wangchuk and the inspiration behind 3 Idiots, Aamir said neither he nor the film’s creators knew the activist while making the 2009 blockbuster.