Kochi: Being a hero on screen is one thing, but being a hero in real life is quite another. Four years ago, Dulquer Salmaan portrayed the role of a dashing do-gooder in Anjali Menon’s 'Bangalore Days'. The young actor is indeed kind even off-camera and recently helped a paraplegic to improve his mobility.
A true fighter
Life has never been easy for M Praveen, who suffers from cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects movement and mobility. A third-year B.Com student of Government College, Tripunithura, Praveen had to face many difficulties in life, but he let none of them deter his spirit.
After reading about the trials and tribulations of Praveen in Malayala Manorama’s ‘Hi’ supplement, Dulquer realised that his life story bears a striking resemblance to that of Paravathy’s character, his love interest, in 'Bangalore Days'. In the film, she played the role of a wheelchair-bound Radio Jockey who exudes positivity in her every ‘step’. Just like her, Praveen too is an inspiring personality.
After discussing the newspaper article with his father actor Mammootty, Dulquer met Praveen the other day and gifted him an electric wheelchair, similar to the one used by Paravathy’s character in the blockbuster movie.
Pillars of strength
Praveen is the youngest of the two children of V P Muraleedharan and Geetha of Rugmani Bhavan in Udayamperoor near Tripunithura. Parents and elder brother Prasanth are his pillars of strength who devote all their time and energy to the 21-year-old who needs special care.
Praveen, who received A+ in all subjects in SSLC and high grades in Plus Two examinations, travels to the college, which is located about five kilometres away from their home, in an autorickshaw accompanied by his mother. She would wait at the college till evening and take him back home. He has been using a manual wheelchair which is designed to be pushed by an individual other than the user.
Though it is a difficult task, Geetha and Muraleedharan would take him out quite often to shop and watch movies. Ever since he watched 'Bangalore Days', Praveen had been longing to have a self-driving wheelchair. Now his dream has been fulfilled by the film’s hero himself!
“I’m very happy to know that the film and its characters have been an inspiration to people like Praveen,” Dulquer said.
Despite his busy shooting schedule for his second Hindi movie 'The Zoya Factor', in which he stars opposite Sonam Kapoor, Dulquer took time off to come down to Kochi and gift Praveen the wheelchair. Praveen, who travelled to Kochi to visit Dulquer in the company of his parents, brother and teachers, spent quite some time with the actor talking about his college and friends.
Before returning home, he requested Dulquer to visit his college whenever he gets time. In response, the actor gave him a tight hug and promised to fulfil his wish one day.
