India, Sept. 12 -- Actor Vivek Oberoi has responded to his cousin, actor Akshay Oberoi's recent remarks that their families were "never close" and that Vivek never helped him in his career. In an earlier interview, Akshay (40) had expressed regret that "there was no real relationship" between their families. Vivek and Akshay's fathers, actor Suresh Oberoi and Krishnan Oberoi, are brothers. Probed about the statement, Vivek tells us, "I asked Akshay what the interview was about, and he told me, 'No, it's been misinterpreted'. But best that he speaks for himself." The 49-year-old adds that he "loves Akshay" and their family interactions have always been warm: "We are always there at each other's birthdays, Diwali or parents' anniversaries. We have some great memories of growing up together." The actor, who is organising a Mega Blood Donation Drive on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday (September 17) this year, stresses that both he and Akshay carved their careers independently. "Every bit of success and acclaim he has is well deserved, because he is the only one responsible for it. It shouldn't be because of whose nephew or cousin you are; it should be based on pure merit. Akshay has achieved everything on his own merit and I am very proud of it," he signs off....