Dharmendra and Hema Malini are one of the most loved couples of Bollywood and among the admirers is the "Sholay" co-star Jaya Bachchan, who says the veteran actor is the perfect partner for the industry's dream girl.

The actress was speaking at Hema's debut album launch here tonight. Jaya attended the event with megastar-husband Amitabh Bachchan.

Heaping praise on Dharmendra, with whom 67-year-old Jaya also worked in films like "Guddi" and "Chupke Chupke", the actress said he is an amazing human being.

"He is the only hero whose photograph I kept as a child.

So whenever I get a chance to share stage with him, I come very happily. He is an amazing co-artist, amazing human being and an amazing parter for Hema Malini," she said here.

Dharmendra married Parkash Kaur in 1954 when he was 19.


From his first marriage, he had two sons -- Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and two daughters.

Dharmendra met Malini during the filming of "Sholay".

She eventually married him in 1980. The couple has two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol.

Meanwhile, the album launch turned into a mutual admiration gathering as Dharmendra, 80, returned Jaya's praise by saying, he can "never forget his guddi," referring to the actress' screen name in the 1971 classic.

"In Guddi she told me Dharam ji I used to watch your films, 'Anupama', 'Devar', 'Phool aur Patthar' ... Till today I cannot forget giving autograph while sitting on chair... I can never forget my Guddi... She is like my daughter, sister, everything. Lots of blessings to her as well," Dharmendra said.