For years, fans of 3 Idiots believed that Ladakhi innovator Sonam Wangchuk inspired Aamir Khan’s famous character Phunsukh Wangdu. The similarity between the character and Sonam’s work in the field of education made many people believe that the film was based on his life. However, Sonam Wangchuk has always maintained that he is not Phunsukh Wangdu.
The innovator has repeatedly clarified that the character may have been influenced by his work, but it is not his story. Currently, Sonam is back in the headlines as he continues his hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Sonam Wangchuk’s On 3 Idiots Connection
Previously, during his appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati, Sonam spoke about the constant comparison with the Bollywood character. “If you say inspired, then I won’t deny it. A lot of people say the film is based on me, but I don’t agree with that. The right word is that it may have been inspired or influenced. At the same time, I don’t want people in this country to accept something simply because it is associated with a film. So even if the film is influenced by me, I am not very proud of it. And if it is not inspired by me, I don’t regret it either.”
Sonam made it clear that he does not want people to connect his real-life work only with a movie character.
‘I Am Not Phunsukh Wangdu’: Sonam Wangchuk
In an interview with Josh Talks, Sonam also opened up about how people often ask him if he is the real-life Phunsukh Wangdu. “I am troubled because people constantly ask me, ‘Is your school the one shown in 3 Idiots? Are you Phunsukh Wangdu?’ I want to clarify: No, I am not Phunsukh Wangdu. I am Sonam Wangchuk. I don’t work in films; I work in real life,” he said.
Talking about his work and achievements, he added, “I work on innovations that can go from India to the world and make our country proud… Many journalists and young people ask me about the film. I desperately want to tell them I have nothing to do with it. But that would also be a lie.”
So, Who Was Phunsukh Wangdu iIn 3 Idiots?
In Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots, Aamir Khan played Rancho, a brilliant student who challenged the traditional education system. Rancho believed that education should be about learning and curiosity rather than marks and pressure. His ideas inspired his friends Farhan and Raju to follow their dreams.
At the end of the film, it is revealed that Rancho’s real identity is Phunsukh Wangdu, a successful scientist and innovator who had taken another student’s identity to continue his education.
