Superstar Aamir Khan has revealed that his character Phunsukh Wangdu from the 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots is not based on educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Aamir was speaking at the ongoing London Indian Film Festival when an audience member asked him about Sonam Wanchuk being the inspiration behind 3 Idiots.
Aamir replied: “No, that’s not true actually. That is a misconception.”
Aamir said he didn’t know about Sonam when we were making the film.
The superstar said: “I know that I saw a video of Chatur (Omi Vaidya), just recently, he said that, no, he’s wrong. Maybe that’s what Chatur was thinking, but I want to tell you that neither Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) nor Abhijat (Abhijat Joshi) were the two writers, nor I, we didn’t know about Sonam.”
He added what 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 it won’t get me down. Just from a factual point of view, I wanted to say that neither Raju nor Abhijat… It’s never been clarified before this. He also has said that the character is not based on him. He’s also clarified.”
Aamir Khan’s comments that his 3 Idiots character Phunsukh Wangdu was not based on Sonam Wangchuk has triggered reactions from politicians, activists and social media users, with some accusing the actor of distancing himself from the educationist, who is currently on a hunger strike.
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.’ As Khan’s comments started circulating on social media, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha questioned the timing of his clarification.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Husain Dalwai said he wonders why Khan is “so scared”.
In a post on X, advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan said Khan’s response to a question about Wangchuk shows that ‘he is now a pale shadow of the person who made 3 Idiots and many other revolutionary films”.
Singer Lucky Ali, while not commenting on Khan’s clarification, voiced support for Wangchuk.
Former Congress leader Sanjay Jha also took a swipe at the 62-year-old’s remarks.
Khan’s remarks also triggered a flurry of reactions on social media with a section of users accusing the actor of distancing himself from Wangchuk. ‘This guy instantly lost all respect. Absolute coward,’ said one user. Another person posted, ‘Aamir Khan’s evasive, roundabout response when questioned about Sonam Wangchuk. How spineless real-life heroes of reels turn out to be!”
Sonakshi Sinha, Kiran Rao, others extend support to Wangchuk
Actors and content creators have shown their support for activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 19 days now. The latest to show support are Sonakshi Sinha, Kiran Rao, and Samay Raina, who have urged the government to enter into a dialogue with the activist.
Imran Khan’s Instagram handle post read, “Following the conversations around the NEET scandal these past few weeks has been quite a ride… as the philosopher Mugatu so eloquently said, ‘I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.’” Asking for accountability, the actor further added, “This isn’t a political debate… or at least, it shouldn’t be. If we expect students to take exams with integrity, then they are also owed the same degree of accountability from the bodies which oversee the process. Surely this notion is true regardless of which football team (sorry… political party) you cheer for.” (Agencies)
