Cinema VinesAamir Khan has publicly denied any prior acquaintance with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk during the production of the 2010 blockbuster 3 Idiots. The actor’s statement came shortly after a viral clip surfaced, showing Wangchuk recalling a 2008 meeting with Khan in Mumbai. In the clip, the activist describes how he approached the star with a proposal for a film about the Siachen conflict, suggesting a narrative that highlighted how the region’s tensions could be resolved through education rather than continued military spending.
Wangchuk said he presented his idea to Khan and that the actor listened attentively, even watching a presentation he had prepared. He added that Khan later appeared at an award ceremony in 2008, applauding him. The activist went on to explain that he had travelled to Europe to study Earth Architecture, but in December 2009 he began receiving messages from friends who claimed that a film based on his life and school in Ladakh had already been made.
When Wangchuk’s school was contacted, the film crew had indeed visited the campus. However, the school declined to allow shooting because the crew was reportedly very secretive and had brought large amounts of plastic material. Wangchuk noted that the crew eventually chose another nearby school for the shoot.
During an interview with the British Film Institute, Khan was asked about Wangchuk and his ongoing hunger strike. He responded that he had not known the activist at the time of filming 3 Idiots and that neither he nor the writers were aware of Wangchuk’s work. Khan praised the activist’s efforts, stating that they did not need to be based on the film’s character for him to be respected.
The controversy has sparked discussion among fans and media outlets, with many questioning the accuracy of the viral clip and the actor’s denial. The debate highlights the complex relationship between cinema, real-life figures, and the narratives that emerge in popular culture.
