Bollywood star Aamir Khan has put an end to the widespread misconception surrounding the movie 3 Idiots from 2009 that the character Phunsukh Wangdu (Rancho) is inspired by Ladakhi innovator and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk.
In a post-screening question and answer session at the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF), Khan said that neither he nor the filmmakers knew Wangchuk when the film was being developed. At the same time, the actor said he was grateful to Wangchuk's work and worried about his health with his activist on a hunger strike demanding education reform.
Aamir Khan Sets the Record Straight
For years, fans have believed Rancho, the great engineer in Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots portrayed by Sonam Wangchuk, is the model of Sonam Wangchuk, the visionary education and sustainable development pioneer that has gained national and international recognition.
But Khan dismissed that claim.
"There is this misconception that 3 Idiots was based on Sonam Wangchuk's life. That is not the case. We didn't have any information about Sonam Wangchuk when we were making the film, and I didn't know him personally," Aamir Khan said.
He said, despite the misconception, Wangchuk’s achievements are worth celebrating on their own merit.
Responds to Omi Vaidya's Viral Video
Aamir Khan also spoke to a recent viral video by his 3 Idiots co-star Omi Vaidya who played the memorable role of Chatur Ramalingam.
In the video, Vaidya publicly supported Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing protest and repeated the widely-held belief that the Rancho character is inspired by the education reformer. The video generated an explosion on social media and many users asked Aamir Khan to clarify the matter.
Khan responded to the controversy:
"What Chatur (Omi Vaidya) said in the video is incorrect."
And he also said that Sonam Wangchuk’s contributions to education and innovation are significant enough without being linked to a fictional film character.
"Wangchuk's work stands on its own merit. It doesn't have to be based on a character from 3 Idiots for us to respect him," he said.
Strong Support for Sonam Wangchuk's Cause
Despite the distance between the film and Wangchuk’s life, Aamir Khan strongly endorsed the reformer's ongoing campaign for educational reform.
Sonam Wangchuk is on hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protesting the huge NEET paper leak controversy. His protest is for systemic changes, for accountability and for the safety of students across India.
According to reports, the long-lasting fast has been quite bad for Wangchuk's health. The 59-year-old education reformer has lost 8 to 9 kg weight and doctors have expressed concern about his falling blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Aamir Appeals to Wangchuk to End His Fast
Wangchuk's health is of concern to Aamir Khan, who has appealed to the activist to reconsider his indefinite fast.
"Having said that, the work Sonam Wangchuk is doing is absolutely right. He is on a hunger strike, and many people think he should end it now because his health is deteriorating."
His comments are in support of Wangchuk’s demands but also that Wangchuk should care about his well-being.
A Long-standing Myth
It is the first time Aamir Khan has publicly addressed one of Bollywood’s most enduring myths. Ever since 3 Idiots became one of India's biggest blockbuster films, audiences have associated Rancho's unconventional teaching philosophy and engineering innovations with Sonam Wangchuk.
Khan’s statement clearly indicates that although Wangchuk’s similarities may have piqued some speculation over the years, the film was not based on Wangchuk’s life. But Wangchuk’s contributions to education, innovation and student welfare deserve due recognition in their own right for Khan’s part.
Aamir Khan’s comments have not only dismantled misconceptions about the activist’s health and educational reform but also raised concerns that the activist is in serious need of help when it comes to his hunger strike for Sonam Wangchuk.
