Actor Aamir Khan has addressed the long-standing belief that his 3 Idiots character, Phunsukh Wangdu, was inspired by Ladakhi engineer and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk. Speaking during a question-and-answer session at London’s British Film Institute on July 16, Aamir said the claim was incorrect and stressed that neither he nor the film’s writers knew about Wangchuk in the course of the making of the film.
Aamir Khan clarifies 3 Idiots wasn’t inspired by Sonam Wangchuk: “That could be a misconception”
Calling it a misconception, Aamir said the team behind 3 Idiots had no knowledge of Wangchuk on the time.
“That could be a misconception,” says Aamir Khan
Responding to the claim, Aamir said: “No, that isn’t true actually. That could be a misconception. I didn’t learn about Mr Sonam at the moment after we were doing the film, 3 Idiots. I saw a video of Chatur only recently, and he said that. But he’s mistaken. Perhaps that’s what Chatur was pondering, but I would like to let you know that neither Raju nor Abhijat (Rajkumar Hirani or Abhijat Joshi), who’re the 2 writers, we didn’t learn about Mr Sonam.”
Today at @BFI I asked Mr Amir Khan about @Wangchuk66 and his fast. Here is his response: @abhijeet_dipke @CJP_2029 @Cockroachisback @SauravDassss pic.twitter.com/jkeKFssrDX
— nabanita sircar (@sircarnabanita) July 16, 2026
The actor, nonetheless, was quick to acknowledge Wangchuk’s work and said it deserved appreciation no matter any perceived reference to the film: “Nevertheless, what Mr Sonam is doing is sweet work in any case. He doesn’t must be based on a personality of 3 Idiots for us to respect him and the work that he does. I desired to share this from a factual standpoint.”
Aamir voices concern over Sonam Wangchuk’s health
Throughout the interaction, Aamir was also asked about Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Expressing concern for the activist’s well-being, 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.”
Aamir’s comments come at a time when Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike, in search of statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. Reports indicate that the activist has lost significant weight in the course of the protest, drawing attention from political leaders and members of the general public.
Also Read: 3 Idiots actor Omi Vaidya appeals for Sonam Wangchuk amid hunger strike: “I don’t want Phunsukh Wangdu to die”
More Pages: 3 Idiots Box Office Collection , 3 Idiots Movie Review
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