Aamir Khan's ex-wife Kiran Rao stands in support of Sonam Wangchuk amid hunger strike: 'What will it take for those in power to listen'

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao (Pic/AFP)

As Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike continues, filmmaker Kiran Rao has publicly backed the activist with a powerful social media post. She urged the government to initiate talks with the protesters and ensure justice for students. Her statement comes on the same day Aamir Khan clarified that 3 Idiots was not based on Wangchuk while expressing concern for his health.

Kiran Rao supports Sonam Wangchuk

The filmmaker also changed her Instagram display picture to an image of the activist with the message, "I Support Sonam." In her note, she wrote, "I stand in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk, Abhijeet Dipke, the CJP, and all the citizens of this country, young and old, who are protesting for the rights of our students. My salaams to Sonam ji, Neha, Maneesh, Ameen, and all the others for undertaking a hunger strike to make sure that justice is served. Our nation is indebted to you for shaking us out of our apathy and reminding us that every voice counts."

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The note further read, "It is so distressing to witness the complete silence that this hunger strike has been met with, even after 19 days. What will it take for those in power to listen to the people? It is shocking and inhumane. I urge the government to enter into a dialogue with the protesters, to understand the pain of the students, and end this impasse. We, the people, have a right to be heard."

About Aamir Khan's claim

Kiran's show of solidarity comes hours after Aamir clarified that his 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots was not inspired by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, while also expressing concern over Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike.

Speaking at a public event hosted by the London Indian Film Festival, Aamir said, "That is a misconception. I didn't know about Sonam Wangchuk at that time while we were working on the film 3 Idiots. I recently saw the video of Chatur. He is wrong. Maybe that is what Chatur was thinking. But neither Rajkumar Hirani nor Abhijat Joshi, who were the two writers, knew about Sonam Wangchuk."

The actor expressed concern for the activist's health and said he hoped the fast would conclude soon. "All of us are very concerned about his health and his life. We hope that it ends well. All of us are hoping that he ends his fast," he said.