Indian American actor Omi Vaidya, best known for playing Chatur Ramalingam in the blockbuster Bollywood film ‘3 Idiots’, has publicly backed Ladakhi engineer, educator, and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging people to pay attention to Wangchuk’s deteriorating health during his indefinite hunger strike.
Vaidya shared a video on his official Instagram account, reminding viewers that the beloved fictional character Phunsukh Wangdu, played by Aamir Khan in ‘3 Idiots’, was inspired by Wangchuk. The actor also appealed for greater public awareness of the activist’s ongoing protest.
“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,” Vaidya said in the video.
READ: Boston University student and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke heads to India to lead NEET protest (June 5, 2026)
He went on to explain the real-life inspiration behind one of Bollywood’s most iconic characters.
“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.”
Describing Wangchuk as “humble” and “a pretty impressive person,” Vaidya highlighted his contributions before expressing concern over the activist’s health.
“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.”
The Indian American actor said that, regardless of where people stand on Wangchuk’s views, the humanitarian concern should take precedence.
“Whether you agree with him or not, I don’t really want this guy to die.”
Wangchuk is currently on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. According to the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), his health has worsened during the fast, with the organization claiming he has lost nearly 9 kilograms since joining the protest.
READ: Three Indian seafarers die in US tanker strike, India lodges protest (June 12, 2026)
The activist has been participating in demonstrations over alleged irregularities in India’s National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination while also raising concerns about education, Ladakh’s autonomy, and environmental issues.
The protest organizers have demanded the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide.
For Indian American audiences, Vaidya remains one of the most recognizable diaspora actors in Bollywood, thanks to his portrayal of the ambitious and comedic Chatur Ramalingam in ‘3 Idiots’. Beyond the 2009 hit, he has appeared in Hindi films including ‘Dil To Baccha Hai Ji’, ‘Players’, ‘Jodi Breakers’, and ‘Desi Boyz’, while also featuring in U.S. productions such as ‘The Office’.