Actor Aamir Khan said his character Rancho in the film "3 Idiots" was not based on Ladakhi engineer and activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The clarification addresses a persistent public belief that the movie's protagonist, who becomes the inventor Phunsukh Wangdu, was inspired by Wangchuk's real-life work and innovations in Ladakh.
Khan spoke about the connection during press interviews in India earlier this year [1, 2]. He sought to correct the narrative regarding the film's inspiration, saying that the idea that the character was modeled after the engineer is a misconception [1].
"I have never based Rancho on Sonam Wangchuk," Khan said [2].
Beyond the cinematic connection, Khan addressed the current situation regarding Wangchuk, who has been engaged in a hunger strike. The actor expressed personal concern for the activist's physical well-being as the protest continues [4].
"I am worried about his health and hope he calls off his fast," Khan said [4].
The film "3 Idiots" remains one of the most successful Indian productions globally, often cited for its critique of the rigid education system. Because of the similarities between the fictional Phunsukh Wangdu and Wangchuk's actual contributions to sustainable engineering, the two have been linked in public discourse for years.
Khan's statements in March 2026 [2] serve to decouple his professional work from the activist's current political and social struggles.
“"That is a misconception."”
By explicitly denying the link between the fictional character and the real-life activist, Aamir Khan is distancing his artistic work from the political nature of Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike. This allows the actor to express humanitarian concern for Wangchuk's health without appearing to endorse the specific political goals of the protest through a presumed cinematic association.
