Ever since Aamir Khan said that Phunsukh Wangdu from ‘3 Idiots’ was not inspired by Sonam Wangchuk, the question around the character's real-life inspiration has returned to the spotlight. While many have linked Rancho to the engineer and education reformer over the years, the makers of the film have shared different accounts about where the character actually came from.

‘3 Idiots’, released in 2009, is officially based on Chetan Bhagat's novel ‘Five Point Someone’. Soon after its release, Bhagat claimed he had not received proper credit for the adaptation. At the same time, discussions also began over whether Rancho, later revealed as scientist Phunsukh Wangdu, was based on a real person.

Director Rajkumar Hirani had once revealed that one of the biggest inspirations came from a student he met during his time at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). According to Hirani, the student failed to secure admission but later attended the institute by taking the identity of a friend who had been selected but chose not to join. The student completed the course without anyone discovering the truth and later said he never wanted a certificate, only the chance to learn. Hirani said that incident stayed with him and shaped the film's message about education.

Also Read: Aamir Khan breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk and the '3 Idiots' debate

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra later offered another perspective. Speaking at Film Bazaar in 2014, he said Rancho was inspired by his own life. Chopra recalled skipping classes, failing his final examination and eventually receiving his certificate years later after being honoured by the institute. He also shared that he had hidden his decision to become a filmmaker from his family because they wanted him to study medicine.

Years later, Chopra added another detail while speaking at the Himalayan Film Festival in Ladakh. He said the name "Phunsukh Wangdu" was inspired by an FTII classmate named Phuntsok, whom he fondly remembered as "Phuntsok Ladakhi."

Also Read: Why did Aamir Khan's Phunsuk Wangdu in ‘3 Idiots’ remind audiences of Sonam Wangchuk?

The discussion has gained fresh attention after Aamir Khan recently stated that the character was not based on Sonam Wangchuk. While the debate continues among fans, the filmmakers' earlier statements suggest that Phunsukh Wangdu was shaped by multiple real-life experiences rather than a single individual.