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Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots Rancho is back in conversation after Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike brought fresh attention to the 2009 blockbuster. For years, many believed that Rancho, whose real identity in the film is revealed as Phunsukh Wangdu, was based on Sonam Wangchuk. The belief became so widespread that the two names almost became synonymous. However, Sonam Wangchuk himself has repeatedly said that the character is not based on him, and Aamir Khan recently said the same. So, if Rancho isn’t Sonam Wangchuk, who actually inspired one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic characters?

Also Read: 3 Idiots Star Omi Vaidya Appeals For Sonam Wangchuk, Says “Don’t Let Phunsukh Wangdu Die”; Watch Video

Over the years, director Rajkummar Hirani has shared a different story about the inspiration behind Rancho.

In an interview with Komal Nahta, Hirani said the character was inspired by a student he met at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). According to him, the student couldn’t secure admission to the institute. However, one of his friends did get selected but wasn’t allowed to join by his family.

Hirani recalled that the student then assumed his friend’s identity and spent three years studying filmmaking at FTII. Nobody realised the truth until graduation. When he was told he wouldn’t receive a certificate, the student reportedly replied that he had only come there to learn filmmaking, not to collect a degree.

The filmmaker said this incident stayed with him and eventually became one of the inspirations behind Rancho’s outlook towards education.

Also Read: Sonam Wangchuk’s CJP Protest Sees Swara Bhasker In Attendance; Rubina Dilaik, Abhay Deol And More Show Support

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra has offered more than one explanation over the years.

At NFDC’s Film Bazaar in 2014, Chopra claimed that Rancho was inspired by his own life. He spoke about barely attending classes during his FTII days, failing his final examination, and later receiving his certificate after earning international recognition.

Years later, during the Himalayan Film Festival in Ladakh, Chopra shared another interesting detail. He revealed that he had a classmate named Phuntsok at FTII and said the name Phunsukh Wangdu was inspired by him.

Meanwhile, the film itself is officially adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone. However, when 3 Idiots was released in 2009, Chetan Bhagat publicly stated that he wasn’t given due credit for his work, sparking a separate controversy around the film.

So while 3 Idiots Rancho continues to be linked with Sonam Wangchuk in public memory, the people behind the film have consistently maintained that the character draws from multiple real-life experiences rather than one individual alone.

Also Read: Rakhi Sawant Vows To Meet Sonam Wangchuk, Says “Will Break His Fast From My Own Hands”

The post Who Inspired 3 Idiots’ Rancho If Not Sonam Wangchuk? The Real Story Behind Aamir Khan’s Iconic Character first appeared on MissMalini.