vivek oberoi

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By: Upala KBR, Mid-Day

Sixteen-year old Karishma Khullar was born with an underdeveloped lower spine and after an accident, she ended up in a wheelchair.

Karishma had literally given up on living her life, when her knight - Viveik Oberoi walked into her life and put her on the road to recovery.

While her cynical relatives watched and waited for the busy actor to give up and stop communicating with the teenager, Viveik maintained regular contact with her.

Rough life
Karishma has had numerous corrective surgeries (her father being a renowned surgeon in US) since her birth. She was a normal teenager till she met a major accident a couple of years ago.

Karishma fell during ice-skating as she couldn't keep her balance due to her under-developed back. She suffered minute fractures in her lower back, which crippled her.

Says Karishma who lives with her parents in Ohio, USA, "I have been a Viveik fan ever since I saw Saathiya. Before my accident, I would regularly ask Shunalidi (wife of Shravan Shroff of Shringar Films) to establish contact with Viveik, but somehow it never happened.

After the accident, my mom called Shunalidi and told her that I would need to undergo strong treatment and I wouldn't be able to do it without some kind of inspiration, and asked if she could get Viveik to talk to me. Then one day Viveik called me. I was ecstatic!

This was more than a year ago and he has kept in touch. He told me I could call him anytime and we would connect once a month, chat, and, keep each other updated."

Inspiration: Viveik
Viveik has been a big help and inspiration to her. Karishma says, "Viveik has inspired me so much.

When I had to do my exercises standing in the water, my physiotherapists would put his picture in front of me and make me work out. My American friends picked up information and his pictures from his websites and made special cards for me. Today there is a girl fan club in my school on Viveik."

That wasn't all that Oberoi did. Adds Karishma, "He's been patient with me and makes me feel special. When he was performing at Glasgow he sent me a ticket. There, I got VVIP treatment - travelling in the limousines with him, going out for dinner - the works.

Though I was in my wheelchair, I felt I was the luckiest girl in the world! I have recovered a lot today because of Viveik.

I have left my wheelchair and walk on crutches now, but I wouldn't have been able to achieve what I have, without his patience and support. Everybody was cynical and thought his caring and patience would fizzle out, but it's been more than a year and he has still kept in touch..."

Essay on Oberoi
Karishma has also written an essay on Vivek and read it in school. "I wrote this essay for my English class a few months ago and my teacher thought it was the most interesting essay she has ever read!

Karishma plans to come to Mumbai this year, "When I told Viveik that, he said that he would like me to attend the premiere of Omkara with him! I'm planning from to come on July 23 because Omkara releases on June 28. I'm so excited!"