In a candid interaction at the British Film Institute (BFI) on July 16, 2026, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan addressed one of the most enduring stories in Indian cinema: the belief that his celebrated character, Phunsukh Wangdu (Rancho), in the 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots was modelled after Ladakhi engineer and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk.
For years, fans and movie enthusiasts have believed that the eccentric inventor portrayed by Aamir Khan was modeled on Sonam Wangchuk, whose innovative educational initiatives and engineering projects have earned global recognition. However, Aamir dismissed the long-standing theory, describing it as “a misconception” and clarifying that the filmmakers had no knowledge of Wangchuk while developing the film.
He explained that during the conceptualization and production of the film, neither he nor the core creative team—director Rajkumar Hirani and writer Abhijat Joshi—had any knowledge of Mr. Wangchuk.
“No, that is not true actually. That is a misconception,” the actor stated, responding to the persistent rumours. He addressed recent claims made by his 3 Idiots co-star Omi Vaidya (who played Chatur Ramalingam), noting, “I saw a video of Chatur just recently, and he said that. But he is wrong. Maybe that is what Chatur was thinking, but I want to tell you that neither Raju nor Abhijat, nor I… we didn’t know about Mr Sonam.”
Aamir Khan was quick to emphasize that his clarification was strictly factual and not an attempt to diminish the activist’s contributions. “However, what Mr. Sonam is doing is good work in any case. He doesn’t have to be based on a character of 3 Idiots for us to respect him and the work that he does. I wanted to share this from a factual point of view.”
Released in 2009, 3 Idiots remains one of the most influential films in Indian cinema.
Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and written by Abhijat Joshi, the film starred Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Boman Irani, and Omi Vaidya.
Inspired by Chetan Bhagat‘s novel Five Point Someone, the film explored themes such as education, creativity, parental expectations, and the importance of following one’s passion.
Aamir’s portrayal of Phunsukh Wangdu, also known as Ranchoddas Shamaldas Chanchad, became one of the defining performances of his career.
The character’s unconventional thinking and scientific innovations led many viewers to draw parallels with Sonam Wangchuk over the years, even though the actor has now clarified that no such inspiration existed during the film’s creation.
The interaction also turned to the ongoing humanitarian situation involving Sonam Wangchuk, who has been observing an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Aamir Khan expressed deep concern for the activist’s well-being and life.
“All of us are very concerned for his health and his life,” the actor said. “We hope it ends well. All of us are hoping that he ends his fast and looks after himself.”
As Aamir Khan engages with international audiences, he remains heavily involved in several ambitious projects back home:
- Batwara 1947: Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, this project is already completed and set for release on August 14, 2026.
- Sequel Projects: Reports indicate that Aamir Khan and director Rajkumar Hirani are actively working on a sequel to 3 Idiots, with principal photography expected to commence in late 2026.
- Silkyara 41: Recently announced as a major Indo-Australian collaboration, this film is currently under production and focuses on the real-life 2023 Uttarakhand tunnel rescue mission.
- Mogul: The long-gestating biopic remains under active production.
With a diverse lineup of films and his continued involvement in socially relevant causes, Aamir Khan continues to be a central figure in both the Indian entertainment industry and the broader public discourse.
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