Aamir Khan Breaks Silence on Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike, Reveals ‘3 Idiots’ Is Not Based on Activist
On Thursday (July 16), Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan attended the London Indian Film Festival for the screening of 'Lagaan', where he was asked about Sonam Wangchuk.The actor clarified that his 2009 blockbuster was based on the activist's life and expressed concern for his deteriorating health.
Bollywood 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 Wangchuk being the inspiration behind 3 Idiots. Aamir replied: “No, that's not true actually. That is a misconception.” Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike Day 19: Congress Appeals to Activist To End Fast, Backs Demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation.
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.” “3 Idiots” is directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
The film stars Aamir Khan, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi in the title roles, while Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Mona Singh and Omi Vaidya play supporting roles. Narrated through two parallel timelines, one in the present and the other set ten years earlier, the story follows the friendship of three students at an Indian engineering college and is a satire about the intrinsic paternalism under the Indian education system. Sonakshi Sinha Questions Government Silence Amid Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike; Rakhi Sawant Vows To Break Fast With Activist (Watch Videos).
Asked what he has to say about Sonam’s hunger strike? He added: “Well, I think all of us are very concerned for his health and his life and we hope that it ends well and all of us are hoping that he ends his fast and looks after his health.”
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2026 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).