A teenager living with a rare condition making him age rapidly has thanked Aamir Khan for making his dreams come true by visiting him after spotting his post on Facebook.
Nihal Bitla, a 14-year-old boy living in Mumbai, India, was diagnosed with Progeria as an infant. Progeria is a genetic condition that causes children’s bodies to age up to eight times faster than normal. Symptoms such as stunted growth and hair loss usually present within two years at birth, and the average life expectancy for a child with the condition is just 13-years-old.
Nihal, who weighs just under two stone, began clinical trials in Boston for a cancer drug that medical experts hope could slow down the ageing process.
He told his story to the Humans of Bombay Facebook group, where he also thanked Khan for his 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. The film follows the friendship between a teacher and a young student with learning difficulties.
“I want to meet Aamir Khan and thank him for the movie Taare Zameen Par which gave me courage,” he was quoted as saying in the post, “but there's not much progress on that one yet! To be honest, I don't know much about the illness I have, except that I have the rare power of being young and old at the same time,” he wrote.
Nihal’s story was spotted by Khan, who was keen to meet with his fan face-to-face, writing on his Facebook: "Hi my friend, you haven't given your name... I would love to meet you. Please let me know when and where, and I will be there."
The meeting was quickly arranged and Nihal greeted Khan with one of his paintings. The meeting was a "dream come true" for Nihal, who hopes it will also raise awareness of the Progeria Research Foundation.
Nahil’s father Srinivas told The Independent his son was “very happy” to meet the actor.
“Aamir Khan is Nihal's favourite actor,” he said. “And his favourite movie is Taare Zameen Par.”
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Khan promised to remember their encounter. “It was lovely meeting you Nihal, along with your father Srinivas and your sister Vaishnavi," he wrote. "The beautiful Ganesh drawing you made has been sent for framing and will be up in my room. I will look at it and remember you every day.”
Hayley Okines, a British teenager and spokesperson for Progeria, passed away from the condition in 2015 aged 17.
