Aamir Khan is facing political backlash after comments linked to the long-running debate over whether Sonam Wangchuk inspired the character Phunsukh Wangdu in the hit film 3 Idiots. The controversy gathered pace after Khan’s remarks were compared to saying the film Gandhi was not based on Mahatma Gandhi, a line that quickly fueled criticism.
The reaction appears to center on Khan’s suggestion that Wangchuk was not the direct inspiration behind the memorable character. That position has upset critics who argue that the similarities have been widely discussed for years and remain a strong part of the public conversation around the film.
The dispute has now moved beyond cinema and into the political arena, with Khan’s remarks drawing sharp responses. The episode highlights how deeply popular films can remain tied to real-life personalities in the public imagination, even years after their release.
As the debate continues, the controversy has once again put 3 Idiots and its cultural legacy back in the spotlight. It also shows how comments about a well-known film character can quickly become a larger flashpoint when they touch on a figure audiences already connect to the story.
