Aamir Khan denies 3 Idiots inspiration from Sonam Wangchuk; expresses concern over his health

During the closing night of the London Indian Film Festival, Aamir Khan appeared to discuss the legacy of his 1995 film Lagaan and to address rumours that his 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots had drawn inspiration from the Ladakhi engineer and activist Sonam Wangchuk. The actor, who is a frequent guest at the festival, was asked whether the character of Rancho was based on Wangchuk, a claim that has circulated online for years.

In a clear statement, Khan denied the connection, saying, “No, that is not true actually. That is a misconception. I didn’t know about Mr Sonam at that time when we were doing the film, 3 Idiots.” He added that neither of the writers, Rajkumar Hirani nor Abhijat Joshi, had any knowledge of Wangchuk when the script was being developed. “What Mr Sonam is doing is good work in any case. He doesn’t have to be based on a character of 3 Idiots for us to respect him and the work that he does,” Khan explained.

The conversation also turned to Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike, which began on 28 June. Khan expressed concern for the activist’s health, stating, “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.” The actor’s remarks came as the protest has attracted attention from supporters and media alike.

Earlier in the week, Omi Vaidya, who portrayed the character Chatur Ramalingam in 3 Idiots, publicly supported Wangchuk. In a social‑media video, Vaidya noted that the film’s character Funsukh Wangdu was inspired by Wangchuk’s life and urged viewers to monitor the activist’s deteriorating health. “Did you know that Funsukh Wangdu from 3 Idiots is actually based on a real‑life Ladakhi engineer, innovator, educator and reformer named Sonam Wangchuk? I’ve met this guy. He’s a pretty interesting character. Right now he is on a very long hunger strike. His blood sugar has gone down very much,” Vaidya said.

As the London Indian Film Festival continues, the discussions surrounding Wangchuk’s health and the origins of popular film characters remain a focal point for fans and commentators alike.