Almost 16 years after 3 Idiots released, reports of Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan reuniting for the film’s sequel have emerged. According to Pinkvilla, Aamir, Kareena Kapoor, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi are set to reprise their characters in the upcoming film.
According to reports, Hirani has finalised the script of 3 Idiots sequel and the film will be set 15 years after the events of the climax. At the end of 3 Idiots, Farhan, Raju and Pia find Aamir’s character Rancho at a school in Leh, Ladakh, as Omi Vaidya’s Chatur is left scratching his head over the mystery of Phunsukh Wangadu.
While who will return in the next film is not clear, here’s a look at what the film’s original cast is doing now.
Aamir Khan (Rancho/Phunsukh Wangdu)
Aamir Khan returns as Rancho, the heart and soul of 3 Idiots, who is revealed to be Phunsukh Wangdu towards the film’s climax. His character arc highlights the importance of following passion over rote learning.
The actor who has been ruling the Indian film industry for decades along with other mighty Khans Shah Rukh Khan and Salman, made a smashing comeback with Sitaare Zameen Par this year. The film established he’s here to stay. At 60, both his professional and personal life look good. The actor made his relationship with Gauri Spratt public some time back, and is all set for Happy Patel: Khatranakh Jasoos – starring Imran Khan, Mona Singh, and Vir Das, slated to hit the theatres on January 16, 2026.
R Madhavan (Farhan Qureshi)
R Madhavan is expected to return as Farhan Qureshi in the sequel of 3 Idiots. One of the three idiots, or engineering students-cum-rebels who has a passion for wildlife photography. It would be interesting to see how he would take the story forward in Part 2.
The gifted actor has come a long way since his Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein days where he was known for his chocolate boy image. Currently, he is making waves with his character of Ajay Sanyal, the National Security Adviser, in Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar. This is in contrast with his rib-ticking role in his recent release De De Pyaar De 2, starring Ajay Devgn. In Test, a sports Tamil drama, he plays a scientist. We also saw him this year with Aap Jaisa Koi romancing Fatima Sana Shaikh as a simple small town man Shrirenu Tripathi, a 42-year-old Sanskrit professor.
He was also appointed as the President of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, on September 1, 2023.
Sharman Joshi (Raju Rastogi)
Sharman Joshi, the ‘third idiot’, from 3 Idiots played Raju Rastogi, a talented student from a poor family who is burdened by family pressure to succeed financially. He does succeeds in his career, and his role in the upcoming 3 Idiots sequel would be interesting to follow.
Joshi has the knack to portray both commercial and serious roles with aplomb. Starting his career journey with a role in Godmother (1999) alongside Shabana Azmi, and then following it up with Lajja (2001), Sharman also played strong characters in commercial movies like Style, Rang De Basanti, Golmaal, and Life in a Metro.
He will soon be seen in Bengali film Bhalobashar Morshum alongside Susmita Chatterjee and Tanjin Tisha.
Kareena Kapoor Khan (Pia)
One of the finest actors and a member of ‘Bollywood’s first family’, Kareena Kapoor started her career with director of Border fame, JP Dutta’s Refugee, alongside Abhishek Bachchan. Starring in a mix of commercial and cricially-acclaimed ventures, Kareena’s upcoming project includes Meghna Gulzar’s forthcoming crime drama, Daayra alonside Prithviraj Sukumaran. His most recent projects includes Netflix’s Dining With Kapoors, and remains focussed on his family and fitness.
In 3 Idiots, Kareena played Pia, the lead heroine who runs away from her wedding on the behest of Farhan and Raju to get back with Rancho, her college lover.
Boman Irani (‘ViruS’ Sahastrabuddhe)
Boman Irani entertained and tickled our funny bone with his college professor character in 3 Idiots. It is not the first time has tortured lead protagonist in the story. He has done so as JC Asthana in Munnabhai MBBS and Lakbir Singh as Lage Raho Munnabhai. With his unique mannersisms and comic timing, Irani made a mark in 3 Idiots too. His return is highly anticipated in the next 3 Idiots film.
As of what he is doing now, he has joined the cast for The Raja Saab, a horror-fantasy film, set for January 9, 2026 release. In this Prabhas-starrer, Irani plays a psychiatrist, hypnotist, and paranormal investigator.
Omi Vaidya (Chatur)
Omi Vaidya entertained with his hilarious dialogues in 3 Idiots and if he makes a comeback with 3 Idiots 2, his presence is sure to elevate the Rajkumar Hirani film. In his recent release American Warrior aka American Underdog, Omi Vaidya played the older cousin to convict-turned-MMA fighter Jai Kumar.
Meanwhile, Vaidya is in news for his viral YouTube skit MAGA vs Indian (H1Bs), which depicts an H1B worker and a MAGA supporter exchanging controversial views. He has also been keeping himself busy by donning director’s hat for a few short films.
Mona Singh (Mona Sahastrabuddhe)
Mona’s childbirth scene went viral and proved to a turning point in 3 Idiots where ‘Virus’ actually started respecting the ‘3 Idiots’
Mona Singh, who started with Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahi has made rapid in her career and from television, she has made a successful transition to films and OTT. Her role in Ba***ds of Bollywood received much appreciation, while her Zee 5 show Thode Door Thode Paas too is being much talked about.
She appeared as Bulbul Jauhari in the second season of the series Made in Heaven (2023) and played a pivotal part in the Netflix series Kaala Paani (2023).
Coming up next for Mona, is Aamir Khan’s Happy Patel: Khatarnaak Jasoos.
Ali Fazal (Joy Lobo)
In 3 Idiots Ali Fazal played Joy Lobo. Establishing himself firmly in the OTT space with the Mirzapur series, he will soon be seen in the movie based on the same and reprise his role of Guddu Pandit. He is also part of Aamir Khan’s upcoming production, Lahore 1947. He is rumored to be collaborating with director Shakun Batra for a new film focused on social media’s impact on relationships. Fazal has also featured in major international films like Death on the Nile (2022) and Kandahar (2023).
Rahul Kumar (Manmohan ‘Millimeter’)
Remember the character of Millimeter from 3 Idiots? He is now all grown up and is doing well in acting and modelling career. Recently, a video showed Rahul Kumar with his Turkish wife Keziban Dogan. His most notable project was in Amazon Prime Video’s Bandish Bandits. He was also seen in the film Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar in the year 2021.
Jaaved Jaafrey (Ranchhoddas Shyamaldas Chanchad)
Jaaved Jaafrey played the original Ranchhoddas Shyamaldas Chanchad in 3 Idiots. His character adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding Aamir Khan’s character in the film. His sequence combines humour and drama to make for a compelling watch.
Jaaferi is known for his youthful energy at 63, and he attributes it to a disciplined, clean, home-cooked diet and consistent exercise.