A new low: Internet reacts after Aamir says Wangchuk didn’t inspire 3 Idiots’ Wangdu
Actor Aamir Khan’s denial that Phunsukh Wangdu in 3 Idiots was inspired by Sonam Wangchuk has sparked a heated debate online. Social media users pointed to old interviews of Wangchuk and questioned the actor’s claim that the filmmakers did not know the activist while making the film.
After denying this, actor Aamir Khan has come under attack on social media. 3 idiots The character, Phunsukh Wangdu, was inspired by environmentalist, activist and teacher Sonam Wangchuk. Many users questioned the actor’s statement, with many citing Wangchuk’s old interviews and claiming that the filmmakers were aware of his work before the 2009 film was made.
One user wrote, “Aamir Khan is denying that his character… 3 Idiots There is a new following based on Sonam Wangchuk. Saying that he didn’t even know him during the making of the film…really Aamir?? Wasn’t the climax of the film really shot in Wangchuk’s school in Ladakh??”
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Another wrote: “Really? He denies it.” 3 idiots Wasn’t inspired by Sonam Wangchuk (sic)?”
A third user commented, “Classic example of shirking accountability. If he was paid enough, maybe he would speak out about it. But the more important question is: are we worshiping the right people? Rotten is rotten, but treating someone rotten as a god is the real problem.”
Another user defended Khan, writing, “Don’t see any reason for him to lie as it will only give him positive PR if it’s actually based on it. But if one has to pay devil’s advocate – sequel if anything happens to Mr. Wangchuk 3 Idiots It might be a bit challenging to make out, so it’s better to say that it has nothing to do with him.”
Another post read, “Why the hell did they name the character Phungsuk Wangdu?, it clearly matches with Sonam Wangchuk (sic).”
Another user wrote, “According to Sonam’s old video it was apparently shot in some other school. But yes, the makers.” 3 idiots Everyone including Aamir definitely knew about Sonam. There is also footage of an awards ceremony in 2008 regarding the same.”
Aamir Khan denies that Sonam Wangchuk inspired Wangdu
The reactions came after Aamir Khan addressed the long-running speculation linking Phunsukh Wangdu with Sonam Wangchuk during an event at the British Film Institute in England on Thursday.
Responding to a question, Khan said, “No, no. That’s a misconception. I didn’t know about Mr. Sonam when we were doing the film 3 Idiots. I know I recently saw a video of Chatur (actor Omi Vaidya). He’s wrong. That’s probably what Chatur is thinking. Neither Raju nor Abhijat Joshi, who were the two writers, nor I – we don’t know about Mr. Sonam.” However, what Mr. Sonam is doing is good in any case. It is not necessary for us to respect him based on the character of 3 Idiots.”
The actor also expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health as the activist continues his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Khan said, “Mr Sonam has said before that this character is not about him. We are all very concerned for his health and his life. We hope it ends well. We are all hoping that he ends his fast.”
Sonam Wangchuk’s old video resurfaces
The debate gained momentum after an old video of Wangchuk from the 2008 CNN-IBN Real Heroes Awards ceremony surfaced online.
In the clip, Wangchuk recalls meeting Aamir Khan after receiving the award for his work in the field of education in Ladakh. He said the two discussed a possible film on the India-Pakistan border areas of Ladakh and Baltistan as well as the Siachen dispute. Wangchuk also praised Khan’s performance Taare Zameen Par To highlight the learning disabilities of children.
Wangchuk said that a few months after the incident, he traveled to France to study earth architecture. After this in December 2009 3 idiots After its release, he began receiving congratulatory emails from friends and journalists who believed the film was inspired by his work. He said he was initially confused to learn that the filmmakers had visited a school associated with him in 2008, although they had not disclosed the purpose of their visit.
According to Wangchuk, the team wanted to bring a large amount of plastic waste to the location for filming, but were not given permission, forcing them to shift the shooting to another school nearby.
The activist also revealed that he had considered writing to the filmmakers after the film’s release, but decided against it due to the ongoing public dispute between writer Chetan Bhagat and the producers over the film’s writing credits.
Wangchuk said he did not want his letter to be interpreted as an attempt to ask for money. He eventually wrote a letter to the filmmakers two years later, mentioning his meeting with Khan and the film, but said he never received a response.