Aamir Khan on a smile campaign in Leh

Aamir Khan flew to Leh on Tuesday for a visit to the flood ravaged school, where he shot his 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots as Rancho.

"I am here to be with the students because I was told that they are in a state of shock. Nature can be real cruel sometimes but luckily, there were no casualties in the school but they are under emotional trauma. I will try my best to bring back their smiles," Aamir told PTI.

The Druk White Lotus School, run by the Buddhist Drukpa lineage under the supervision of their spiritual leader Gyalwang Drukpa, was affected during the cloudburst in Leh on August 7 which claimed nearly 200 lives.

The 44-year-old actor plans to spearhead a campaign to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the victims and has appealed the nation to extend a helping hand towards the survivors.

"I am here to see what kind of assistance do they need, so that we can help raise the money. Apart from my personal contribution, we all have to contribute as a country because it is a huge tragedy. The country should reach out to the people of Leh in these testing times," said Aamir.

The actor said he was shattered by the tragedy and decided to visit Leh to create awareness across the nation so that they can lend a helping hand.

The school, located about 15 km from Leh on the Leh-Manali highway, came to limelight after it was shown as the school run by Aamir's character Rancho in the film. While the grey stone building remains intact along with the amphitheatre, slush and boulders have filled up its interiors.