Aamir Khan said Friday that his character in the film *3 Idiots* was not inspired by engineer and reformer Sonam Wangchuk.
The clarification addresses a long-standing public belief that the character Phunsukh Wangdu was modeled after Wangchuk's life and work in Ladakh. By correcting the record, Khan seeks to decouple the fictional narrative from the real-world activism and identity of Wangchuk.
Khan said the idea that the film was based on Wangchuk was a misconception [2]. In a series of interviews conducted in India, the actor sought to set the record straight regarding the creative origins of the movie [1], [3]. Referring to a character from the film, Khan said, "Chatur is wrong" [4].
Beyond the clarification of the film's inspiration, Khan addressed the current situation facing Wangchuk. The engineer is currently conducting a hunger strike to draw attention to regional issues in Ladakh. Khan said he was concerned for Wangchuk's physical well-being during this period [1], [5].
"I hope his hunger strike ends well," Khan said [6].
The actor's comments come amid heightened media attention on Wangchuk's protests. While the film *3 Idiots* remains a cultural touchstone in India, the actor said that the parallels drawn between the movie's protagonist and the reformer were not intentional [2], [3].
Separate from the entertainment news, some reports accompanying the discussion noted that membership for The Wire starts at Rs 89 per month [7].
“"It is a misconception."”
This statement serves to protect the distinct identity of Sonam Wangchuk's actual activism from the romanticized version of education reform presented in *3 Idiots*. By distancing the film from the man, Khan ensures that the focus remains on Wangchuk's current political and environmental grievances rather than his perceived likeness to a cinematic character.
