Aamir Khan is facing backlash on social media after denying that his iconic 3 Idiots character, Phunsukh Wangdu, was inspired by Sonam Wangchuk.
During a recent conversation at the London Indian Film Festival, Aamir called the connection a “misconception” and said that neither he, director Rajkumar Hirani, nor writer Abhijat Joshi knew Wangchuk while making the 2009 film.
The actor also expressed concern over Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike and said the activist’s work deserves respect regardless of any connection to the film.
However, social media users are not convinced.
Many have now resurfaced old claims and videos, including a 2008 clip that appears to show Aamir Khan meeting Sonam Wangchuk before 3 Idiots was made.
Users are also questioning how the actor could say he did not know Wangchuk when the film’s climax was shot at the SECMOL campus in Ladakh.
The institution itself was related to the social reformer and scientist!
The debate has become even more intense because Sonam Wangchuk is currently on a hunger strike in Delhi.
He is reportedly demanding action on issues including statehood for Ladakh and the NEET paper leak.
With the activist’s health becoming a growing concern, Aamir’s remarks have triggered a fresh wave of criticism online.
One question is now dominating social media: If the character was completely unrelated to Sonam Wangchuk, why have so many elements of 3 Idiots been linked to his life and work for nearly two decades?
Even Sonam Wangchuk’s past comments on Kaun Banega Crorepati 9 have been brought back into the conversation.
Many users are arguing that the story behind Rancho may not be as simple as Aamir’s latest clarification suggests.
At the same time, Rajkumar Hirani has previously said that Rancho was inspired by someone he encountered during his time at FTII.
Many people are already bashing Bollywood stars for keeping mum on the entire matter surrounding Sonam Wangchuk’s protest.
Aamir being one of the A-listers comes under the scrutiny immediately too. Now, with his latest remarks, it’s yet to see if he creates another huge controversy over the same.
Ok would have been great if this had been said earlier and we were now told that the character Roncho who is found in Ladakh at the end of 3 Idiots was entirely imagined by screenwriters! This is called polite distancing and owning a story inspired by another life. https://t.co/p3q9ATiYK2
— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) July 17, 2026
Hain? 17 years later, why is Aamir Khan denying that his character, Phunsukh Wangdu, in
3 Idiots was not based on climate activist, innovator, and education reformer, Sonam Wangchuk?
#JustOneQuestion
One question to @chetan_bhagat too…
Read what Mr Wangchuk himself had said… https://t.co/k9tj1LUMns— Upala KBR ❤ (@upalakbr999) July 17, 2026
#india Aamir Khan Denies Sonam Wangchuk Link to ‘3 Idiots’ Amid Activist’s Fast #cjp_पार्टी
In a recent London Indian Film Festival conversation, Aamir Khan dismissed claims that Ladakhi engineer and activist Sonam Wangchuk inspired his iconic Rancho character in the 2009…
— Thepagetoday (@thepagetody) July 17, 2026
