3 Idiots' Omi Vaidya backs Sonam Wangchuk amid hunger strike: 'I don't want Phunsukh Wangdu to die'
3 Idiots actor Omi Vaidya has urged people to support education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, the real-life inspiration behind Phunsukh Wangdu, expressing concern over Wangchuk's health as his hunger strike continues.
Omi Vaidya, who won widespread recognition for his portrayal of the ambitious and competitive Chatur Ramalingam - popularly known as 'Silencer' - in Rajkumar Hirani's 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots, has voiced concern over the health of education reformer and engineer Sonam Wangchuk, urging people to pay attention to his ongoing hunger strike.
Omi Vaidya backs Sonam Wangchuk amid latter's hunger strike
Sharing a video on social media, Vaidya introduced himself before making an emotional appeal to the public.
He started the video with, "I don't want Phunsukh Wangdu to die. Hello idiots, pehchana? This is Omi Vaidya, Chatur from '3 Idiots' and Sadiq from 'The Office', and I have an important message for you. I don't really do this very often, so please listen up."
Quick answers to key questions
Sonam Wangchuk's health has deteriorated significantly during his hunger strike, with reports indicating he has lost nearly 9 kilograms and is experiencing immense pain and muscle loss.
Wangchuk is on a hunger strike to protest alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and to voice concerns over education, Ladakh's autonomy, and environmental protection.
Omi Vaidya expressed his support for Sonam Wangchuk through a video message, urging the public to pay attention to Wangchuk's deteriorating health and the issues he is advocating for.
The CJP is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who have died by suicide due to alleged examination irregularities.
While many, including political figures, are urging Wangchuk to end his hunger strike for health reasons, he insists that the focus should be on getting the government to initiate a dialogue about the issues he is raising.
The actor went on to remind viewers that Phunsukh Wangdu, the eccentric inventor who appears towards the end of 3 Idiots, was inspired by a real person.
"Did you know that Phunsukh Wangdu from '3 Idiots' is actually based on a real-life Ladakhi engineer, innovator, educator and reformer named Sonam Wangchuk? I've met this guy. He's a pretty interesting character," he said.
Vaidya then expressed concern over Wangchuk's deteriorating health during the protest.
"Right now he is on a very long hunger strike. His blood sugar has gone down very much. I don't know if you've heard about this. I don't know if the media is reporting this. But this is a pretty important thing. Whether you agree with him or not, I don't really want this guy to die," Vaidya said in his video.
More about the situation
According to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Wangchuk's condition has worsened during the fast, with the organisation claiming he has lost nearly 9 kilograms since joining the protest.
Wangchuk has been participating in demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination while also raising concerns about education, Ladakh's autonomy and environmental protection. The protestors have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide.
CJP has also announced a peaceful march to Parliament on 20 July during the Monsoon Session.
About the 3 Idiots
Released in 2009, 3 Idiots remains one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated films. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, it starred Aamir Khan as Ranchoddas Shamaldas Chanchad, who is later revealed to be the real Phunsukh Wangdu, alongside R Madhavan as Farhan Qureshi, Sharman Joshi as Raju Rastogi, Kareena Kapoor Khan as Pia Sahastrabuddhe and Boman Irani as the strict engineering college principal Viru 'Virus' Sahastrabuddhe.
Vaidya's portrayal of Chatur, an academically gifted but rote-learning student, became one of the film's most memorable performances, with several of his scenes achieving cult status.
The film's climax reveals that Ranchoddas is, in fact, Phunsukh Wangdu, an internationally acclaimed scientist and innovator inspired by Sonam Wangchuk's life and work.
Wangchuk, an engineer, inventor and education reformer from Ladakh, has long been recognised for pioneering alternative education models and sustainable technologies in the Himalayan region.
About the Author
Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.
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