'Respect him but there is misconception'; Aamir Khan responds to '3 idiots' rumours

The popular belief remains that the protagonist of the iconic movie 3 Idiots is inspired by activist Sonam Wangchuk. However, Aamir Khan begs to differ.

While attending the London Indian Film Festival, Khan was bombarded with questions by the press on the hunger strike carried out by Wangchuk in New Delhi. The Bollywood actor expressed concern over the activist’s deteriorating health but said it was a 'misconception' that 3 idiots was based on Wangchuk’s life.

3 Idiots was released in 2009, and Aamir Khan played the character Phunsukh Wangdu (Rancho).

“During the shooting of 3 Idiots, we didn’t know Wangchuk. Neither the writers nor I know about this person. We have respect for the good work he is doing, but to make things clear, 3 Idiots is not based on Wangchuk,” said Aamir Khan.

The hunger strike by Wangchuk attained national popularity after Omi Vaidya, who played the character Chatur in the movie 3 Idiots, came out in solidarity with Wangchuk through a social media post. Om mentioned that the movie was loosely based on Wangchuk.

Sonam Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to support the protest of the Cockroach Janata Party demanding the resignation of India’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.