'Aamir Khan lost all credibility': Journalist slams actor after 3 Idiot's U-turn

Pawar, talking in The Federal's Capital Beat programme, has slammed Aamir Khan's recent attempt to downplay the long-acknowledged link between his 2009 film 3 Idiots and Ladakh-based education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, calling it a strategic mistake that could hurt the actor's credibility.

Also read: Sonam Wangchuk's fast enters Day 20: Lessons learnt from earlier hunger strikes

Pawar said both director Rajkumar Hirani and Khan had, over the years, publicly acknowledged Wangchuk as an inspiration for the film. He argued that if those acknowledgements were genuine, Khan's recent effort to distance himself from Wangchuk raises questions about whether the earlier praise was insincere or whether the current position is.

According to Pawar, Khan, known for his media and marketing acumen, has "painted himself into a corner", with either course of action now carrying reputational risks. He said the actor would have been better off remaining silent, as his past statements praising Wangchuk and his work in Ladakh are now resurfacing.

Personal controversies may have influenced

Pawar suggested Khan's remarks may also have been shaped by unrelated personal controversies. He referred to the actor's recent marriage to Gauri Spratt, which has attracted criticism from some quarters over her family background and Christian faith.

'Laal Singh Chaddha' backlash

Pawar also drew parallels with the backlash surrounding Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), Khan's remake of Forrest Gump.

Also read: Aamir Khan clears the air: '3 Idiots' not based on Sonam Wangchuk, what 'Chatur' said is 'incorrect'

He said the film became the target of an online boycott campaign that portrayed both the film and its audience as "anti-national", contributing to its disappointing box office performance.

Part of a broader Bollywood trend

Pawar argued that Khan's response reflects a wider pattern of Bollywood celebrities seeking to avoid political controversy by aligning themselves with the prevailing political climate. He cited Salman Khan's public appearances with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah Rukh Khan's general reluctance to make political statements as examples.

"You can only take on so many enemies at one time," Pawar said, adding that while he understood why Khan might feel cornered, issuing the statement was still a mistake.

Also read: Aamir Khan's marriage sparks 'love jihad' row, revives old controversies

He noted that 3 Idiots remains immensely popular across East and Southeast Asia, where it continues to be associated with Wangchuk's story and is frequently screened on flights. Attempting to dismiss that connection now, Pawar said, was "very sad and laughable."

The controversy surrounding Khan's remarks comes at a time when Sonam Wangchuk has once again emerged at the centre of national political discourse. The opposition has intensified its attack on the Centre over alleged irregularities in the education system, with Wangchuk's broader activism and public interventions continuing to draw political attention ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Congress joins CJP protest

Meanwhile, the Congress has thrown its weight behind the ongoing protests, demanding accountability for recent institutional failures and reiterating its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Senior party leaders have backed the protesters' demands while expressing concern over the health of those on prolonged hunger strike, signalling that the issue will remain a key plank of the party's strategy during the Monsoon Session.

You can watch the full Capital Beat show here