Sheikh Jahangir, often referred to as the “real-life Rancho” from the Bollywood film 3 Idiots, is an Indian innovator renowned for his ingenious creations using repurposed materials. Born in Chennai, he moved to Malkapur in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district at the age of six. Due to financial constraints, Jahangir discontinued his formal education after the first grade. By the age of 15, he was working full-time as a painter in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, where he earned the moniker “Jahangir Painter.”

Despite limited formal education, Jahangir’s inventive spirit led him to develop several devices, primarily crafted from scrap materials. Notably, he transformed second-hand scooters into multifunctional machines capable of powering washing machines, mixers, and flour mills without electricity. One of his most acclaimed innovations is a scooter-powered flour mill, which gained widespread recognition after being featured in 3 Idiots. In the film, actor Aamir Khan’s character uses this device, highlighting Jahangir’s creativity.