Saba Pataudi reunites with Aamir Khan at London film festival after decades
Synopsis
Decades after crossing paths, Saba Pataudi and Aamir Khan reunited at London's Indian Film Festival — the same event where Aamir celebrated Lagaan's 25th anniversary and publicly denied that 3 Idiots was ever inspired by Sonam Wangchuk. A quiet evening that touched on nostalgia, cinema history, and one of Bollywood's most persistent myths.
Key Takeaways
Saba Pataudi shared a photograph with Aamir Khan from the London Indian Film Festival (LOVELIFF) , describing it as a reunion 'after decades.' Aamir attended the festival's closing event on 16 July to mark Lagaan 's 25th anniversary .
Aamir Khan denied that 3 Idiots was inspired by activist Sonam Wangchuk , contradicting a claim made by actor Omi Vaidya .
Aamir credited director Rajkumar Hirani and writer Abhijat Joshi as the film's creative sources, stating none of them knew Wangchuk at the time.
Saba also praised actor Sanjeev for his comic timing, calling him 'a legend in your field.'
Saba Pataudi has shared a heartfelt account of reuniting with Aamir Khan at the London Indian Film Festival (LOVELIFF), describing the encounter as a cherished memory after decades apart. The reconnection took place on 16 July at the festival's closing event, where Aamir made a special appearance to mark Lagaan's 25th anniversary.
Saba's Tribute to a Childhood Favourite
Taking to Instagram, Saba posted a photograph with Aamir alongside a warm caption celebrating his multifaceted career. 'Meeting one of my childhood favorite stars, an actor producer...director with immense talent and passion for the craft. Aamir...reconnecting after decades. A memory clicked at the @loveliff,' she wrote. She also noted the contrast in Aamir's screen presence — his 'candid humor' set against moments of deep empathy — calling it 'a tale of empathy for us all to note.'
Saba extended her praise to actor Sanjeev, whom she described as 'a legend' in comic timing, adding that the evening was spent with 'new friends and many more.'
Aamir Khan at LOVELIFF: Celebrating Lagaan at 25
Aamir Khan was in London for the Indian Film Festival, where he attended the closing event on 16 July to celebrate Lagaan completing 25 years. The milestone screening drew significant attention from the Indian diaspora and film enthusiasts in the city. Notably, Lagaan remains one of only a handful of Indian films to have received an Academy Award nomination, making the anniversary a landmark moment for Hindi cinema.
Aamir Addresses the Sonam Wangchuk Debate
During a media interaction at the festival, Aamir was asked about activist and scientist Sonam Wangchuk, who is reportedly on a hunger strike, and the long-held belief that 3 Idiots was inspired by him. Aamir firmly denied the connection. 'I know that I saw a video of Omi Vaidya just recently. He said "Yes." No, he's wrong,' Aamir said. 'Neither Raju [director Rajkumar Hirani] nor Abhijat [writer Joshi] — the two writers — nor I. We didn't know about Mr. Sonam.'
Aamir was careful to separate the creative question from his regard for Wangchuk's work: 'What Mr. Sonam is doing is good work. In any case, he doesn't have to be based on the character of 3 Idiots for us to respect him and the work that he does,' he said.
A Reunion That Made Headlines
The meeting between Saba Pataudi — sister of actor Saif Ali Khan and a prominent voice in India's cultural circles — and Aamir Khan resonated on social media, with her post drawing wide engagement. This comes amid a broader season of Indian cinema celebrating its golden catalogue on international platforms, with LOVELIFF serving as a key showcase for that legacy.
As Aamir's London visit wraps up, attention will now turn to his upcoming projects and whether the renewed connections from the festival translate into any future collaborations.
Point of View
But the real story out of London is Aamir's categorical denial of the Sonam Wangchuk-3 Idiots link — a myth that has persisted for over 15 years and gained fresh currency given Wangchuk's ongoing activism. That Aamir felt compelled to address it at an international film festival, rather than in India, is telling. The 3 Idiots debate is no longer just a trivia question; it sits at the intersection of Bollywood's cultural capital and a live political moment. Aamir's careful phrasing — separating the creative origin from his admiration for Wangchuk — suggests he is navigating that line with deliberate caution.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Saba Pataudi meet Aamir Khan?
Saba Pataudi met Aamir Khan at the London Indian Film Festival (LOVELIFF), where he appeared at the closing event on 16 July to celebrate Lagaan's 25th anniversary. She shared a photograph from the meeting on Instagram, describing it as a reunion after decades.
Why was Aamir Khan in London?
Aamir Khan travelled to London to attend the Indian Film Festival, where he made a special appearance to mark the 25th anniversary of Lagaan. The film is one of the few Indian productions to have received an Academy Award nomination.
Did Aamir Khan say 3 Idiots was inspired by Sonam Wangchuk?
No. Aamir Khan explicitly denied that 3 Idiots was inspired by Sonam Wangchuk, contradicting a claim made by actor Omi Vaidya. Aamir said neither he, director Rajkumar Hirani, nor writer Abhijat Joshi knew about Wangchuk when the film was made.
What did Saba Pataudi write about Aamir Khan on Instagram?
Saba described Aamir as 'one of my childhood favorite stars' with 'immense talent and passion for the craft.' She also noted his 'candid humor' and called the evening a memorable experience spent with new friends.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk and why was he mentioned?
Sonam Wangchuk is a Ladakhi scientist and activist who is reportedly on a hunger strike. He has long been associated in popular culture with the character Phunsukh Wangdu from 3 Idiots, a claim Aamir Khan publicly denied at the London festival.
