RJD MP Manoj Jha slammed Aamir Khan’s recent comments about Phonsukh Wangdu’s inspiration, questioning the timing of his clarification.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha on Friday questioned actor Aamir Khan’s recent statement that Phunsukh Wangdu’s character in 3 Idiots was not based on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
In response to Amer’s statements, Jha said: “It shows that having a backbone for the state is not an easy option.”
He also wondered why the actor came forward to clarify now, when, according to him, people had long believed that the character was inspired by Wangchuk, while speaking to the news agency. PTI.
Amer rejects the long-held assumption
Aamir addressed the issue during a public event hosted by the London Indian Film Festival, where he rejected the widely held belief that Wangchuk’s life inspired the main character in the 2009 film.
Read also | The government’s first reaction to Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike: “Medical assistance can be provided based on the doctor’s report”
“This is not true. This is a misconception. I did not know about Sonam Wangchuk at that time while we were working on ‘3 Idiots’. I recently watched Chatur’s video. He is wrong. Maybe that is what Chatur was thinking. But neither Rajukumar Hirani nor Abhijat Joshi, the writers, really know about Sonam Wangchuk,” the actor said.
During the same interaction, Aamer was asked about Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike. The actor said that he is concerned about the activist’s health and hopes that his fast will end soon.
Read also | Aamir Khan says 3 Idiots was not inspired by Sonam Wangchuk, expresses concern about his health: ‘I hope he ends his fast’
He said: “We are all very concerned about his health and his life. We hope that it will end well. We all hope that he will end his fast.”
Omi Vidya Call
Earlier, actor Omi Vaidya, who rose to fame for playing Chatur Ramalingam or ‘Silencer’ in the Bollywood film 3 Idiots, urged people to pay attention to the cause Wangchuk is fighting for.
In a video shared on Instagram, Vaidya made an emotional plea, saying, “I don’t want Phonsukh Wangdu to die,” referring to the beloved character from 3 Idiots based on Wangchuk’s life.
Wangchuk fasting is entering a critical phase
Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over nationwide examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak controversy.
Read also | “I will survive and come back like a ghost if…”: Sonam Wangchuk urges support for Parliament march on July 20
His fast has entered its twentieth day, and doctors have warned that his condition has reached a critical stage. Wangchuk said on Friday that he “will survive until July 20 at any cost.”
His statements sparked laughter and cheers from his supporters in the audience. July 20 is the day the seasonal session of Parliament begins.
The public interest litigation filed by Rakesh Kumar Sahni also sought directions to ensure regular medical monitoring and timely treatment of Wangchuk during his long fast.
(With inputs from agencies)
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgment and a clear understanding of what makes a story important and action-driven. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya strikes a thoughtful balance between news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring that stories resonate beyond the immediate headlines. Over the course of her three-year journey in digital news, Shivya has worked across a wide range of industries, including politics, civic issues, human interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to engage with stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is analyzing complex developments or shedding light on everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human interest stories, interviews and explanations that provide depth and clarity, and aims to go beyond superficial reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Before joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a wide range of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism. Outside of the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cozy spaces, and thoughtful conversation. Shopping is another hobby she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of making unexpected finds. Above all, she values the time she spends with her loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that last a long time.Read more
