Aamir says Sonam Wangchuk didn't '3 Idiots' role; sparks reactions from RJD, Cong & AAP

New Delhi, Jul 17 (PTI) Aamir Khan on Friday sparked a debate with his comments that his "3 Idiots" character Phunsukh Wangdu was not based on Sonam Wangchuk, leading to a rebuke from political parties RJD, Congress and AAP, who said the actor was unwilling to take a stand out of fear of the ruling establishment. Responding to a question at the London Indian Film Festival, Khan said neither he nor director Rajkumar Hirani or writer Abhijat Joshi knew Wangchuk when they made the 2009 blockbuster. "No, that's not true actually. That is a misconception. I didn't know about Mr Sonam at that time when we were doing this film '3 Idiots'... However, what Mr Sonam is doing is good work in any case. He doesn't have to be based on the character of '3 Idiots' for us to respect him and the work that he does," Khan said. Asked about Wangchuk's hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, Khan said, "I think all of us are very concerned for his health...We hope that it ends well. All of us are hoping he ends his fast and looks after his health." As Khan's comments started circulating on social media, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha questioned the timing of his clarification. "It took them years to say this. I don't even remember how many years ago the film was released. Until now, everyone believed the same thing. Only now have you realised that this is what should have been said. It shows having a spine in front of the state is not an easy option," Jha told PTI Video. Jha also referred to Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike, saying his party's leadership had appealed to the activist to withdraw it as "there is no point holding a fast before a power that lacks compassion". Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Husain Dalwai said he wonders why Khan is "so scared". Khan should "learn from actor Naseeruddin Shah on how to speak fearlessly" and at least express sympathy for Wangchuk, he added. "... I didn't know he was so scared. Aamir Khan is one of my favourite actors and producers but I wonder why he is so scared. Sonam Wangchuk has been sitting on a hunger strike for so many days. He should express sympathy with him and support him," Dalwai said. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also criticised the actor. "Whether it is Aamir Khan or anyone else, this Modi government has exposed everyone's character. They have all bowed before it. They do not have the courage to speak," Singh told PTI Videos. In a post on X, advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan said Khan's response to a question about Wangchuk shows that "he is now a pale shadow of the person who made '3 Idiots' and many other revolutionary films". "Finally, Aamir Khan was asked about Sonam Wangchuk's fast. His response though polite was tepid. He is now a pale shadow of the person who made '3 Idiots' and many other revolutionary films, and the programme 'Satyamev Jayate'," Bhushan posted. Former Congress leader Sanjay Jha also took a swipe at the 62-year-old's remarks. "Now Aamir Khan says Phunsukh Wangdu in '3 Idiots' is not inspired by Sonam Wangchuk. Correct. Just like 'Gandhi', the 1982 film is not based on Mahatma Gandhi," he posted on X, referring to British filmmaker Richard Attenborough's film that featured Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi. Khan's remarks also triggered a flurry of reactions on social media with a section of users accusing the actor of distancing himself from Wangchuk. "This guy instantly lost all respect. Absolute coward," said one user. Another person posted, "Aamir Khan's evasive, roundabout response when questioned about Sonam Wangchuk. How spineless real-life heroes of reels turn out to be!" One post read, "Aamir Khan is such a shameless guy man. I really don't understand how anybody can be fans of these people." However, the actor also found support with some saying there was no evidence that the character of Phunsukh Wangdu was directly based on the activist. "For years, a carefully manufactured image was sold to the nation. Sonam Wangchuk as the real-life Rancho from 3 Idiots - the poor Ladakhi boy who rose from nothing, rejected the broken system, and became a revolutionary innovator fighting for the common man. In Reality, Wangchuk was born into a politically influential family," said one user. Others on social media supported Khan's clarification, pointing to an old interview in which Hirani had said the character of Rancho was inspired by a Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) student who attended the institute in a friend's name after the latter was unable to enrol. "This film was based on a student who wanted to get into the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He couldn't get admission, but his friend did. "But his friend's father didn't allow him to join the institute. So the boy attended the institute in his friend's place. After three years, he was caught and denied a degree. He said, 'I am not here for a degree. I am here for education'," Hirani had said in the video. At the same time, a video from Wangchuk's 2018 public talk resurfaced online, in which the educationist talked about meeting the actor in 2008 at the CNN-IBN Real Heroes Awards in Mumbai. According to Wangchuk, he discussed with Khan the idea of making a film on Siachen and a documentary on his work was screened during the event, where Khan was present. Wangchuk said that he was told by friends and journalists in December 2009 that a film about him had been made and that his school featured in it. On enquiring with his school, he learnt that members of the film's team had visited the campus but were denied permission to shoot there because they planned to use a lot of plastic.  The film was eventually shot at another nearby school, he said. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar since June 28 after joining the Cockroach Janata Party's protest demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. PTI RB SBR BK BK