Aamir Khan's ‘3 Idiots’ denial in question as Sonam Wangchuk's 2008 meeting video resurfaces

A resurfaced video of climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has reignited debate online after actor Aamir Khan recently said that neither he nor the makers of the 2009 blockbuster "3 Idiots" knew Wangchuk during the film's development.

The clip, which has gone viral on social media, features Wangchuk recalling a meeting with Aamir Khan in Mumbai in 2008 — a year before the release of "3 Idiots". According to Wangchuk, the two met at an event where he shared an idea for a film centred on the Siachen conflict.

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Speaking in the video, Wangchuk said he had suggested that Khan make a film highlighting the human and financial costs of the conflict in Siachen. He recalled proposing a story in which ordinary citizens from both countries help resolve tensions, allowing resources to be redirected towards education rather than military expenditure.

Wangchuk said Aamir listened to the idea and also viewed a presentation he had prepared on the subject. The video includes footage from the 2008 event, showing Wangchuk receiving an award while Aamir applauds from the audience.

The activist further revealed that he travelled to Europe shortly afterwards to study Earth Architecture. However, Aamir's name resurfaced in his life in late 2009, when friends began contacting him after watching "3 Idiots".

According to Wangchuk, several people told him that the film appeared to be inspired by his life and educational work in Ladakh. Curious about the claims, he contacted his school and learned that a film crew had indeed visited the campus. However, permission to shoot there was reportedly denied because the crew had not disclosed details about the project and intended to bring plastic materials onto the premises, which conflicted with the school's environmental principles.

As a result, the filming was shifted to another nearby school, Wangchuk said.

The video resurfaced shortly after Aamir Khan addressed long-standing speculation regarding the inspiration behind his character, Phunsukh Wangdu, in "3 Idiots". During a question-and-answer session at the London Indian Film Festival, the actor described the belief that the character was based on Wangchuk as a "misconception".

Khan stated that neither he, director Rajkumar Hirani nor writer Abhijat Joshi knew Wangchuk while making the film.

His remarks triggered criticism from several opposition politicians in India. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha questioned why Khan had taken so many years to clarify the issue, while also referring to Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh also criticised the actor, alleging that public figures have become reluctant to speak against those in power. Congress leader Husain Dalwai, meanwhile, urged Khan to express support for Wangchuk.

The controversy has also divided social media users. Some pointed to the resurfaced 2008 video as evidence that Aamir and Wangchuk had met before the release of "3 Idiots", questioning the actor's recent comments. Others defended Khan, arguing that celebrities frequently meet large numbers of people and may not remember every encounter years later.

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Aamir Khan denies ‘3 Idiots’ was based on Sonam Wangchuk

The renewed discussion has once again brought attention to the long-running debate over whether Phunsukh Wangdu was inspired by Wangchuk. While Aamir Khan has firmly denied any such connection during the making of the film, the resurfaced footage of their 2008 meeting has fuelled fresh speculation among fans and observers online.