The way it could have been...

'I find his eyes and lips the most fascinating features of his face. There is a rare depth in his eyes and at the slightest provocation; they light up with good cheer and in a delightful manner, you know,' said a very relaxed Hema when I asked her what she liked best in her Dharam. I met Hema while she was shooting at a private bungalow for Gulzar's Kinara. Cast opposite her is Jeetendra, whom she almost married not so long ago and whose baby she was fondling just now - Jeetu had brought the little one to the shooting. Nothing Fresh I told Hema that I had come to hear her speak about Dharam particularly. Immediately she led me to a separate room, so that we would not be disturbed while she composed her thoughts about her favourite hero. It was not easy to get her to talk about him, though. “What is there fresh to tell about Dharam? I've been talking all these days only about my association with him,” she pouted. But only for a second. Since the subject was so dear to her heart, she did not stall for long. What do you really have going with him? What exactly is your relationship? Hema laughed delightedly at such a direct question. “You know, in this field, one hit leads to the pair being cast in a number of films together and our teaming was no exception. With Sharafat and Tum Haseen Main Jawan both catching the fancy of the public, we were made as a romantic pair. But in his case, I remember every little thing about our first meeting; it was at the Aasmaan Mahal premiere. I was a newcomer just cast in Sapnon Ka Saudagar, Dharam was already an established hero. We were introduced and I still remember being overawed by him - his impressive physique and rugged handsomeness and most of all his unassuming friendliness. He was in a brown suit and it suited him so well! I keep telling him even now that he should get a suit in that colour,' Hema giggled. But how did you hit it off with him so well and not with any other hero? 'That's a question really. Come to think of it, we - Dharam and I - starred in our first films at the same time as I started the Shashi starrer Abhinetri. I have been friendly with Shashi too. But, as I told you, it is success that really brings you together. Dharam is the only true friend I have in the industry and out of it!” Hema looked reverential. “Even if I marry and leave this field, he is one friend I will never cut out of my life!'