Film-maker Mahesh Bhatt Monday categorically denied reports suggesting that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has restrained his son Rahul from leaving the city.

"Who has said this? I spoke to Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Rakesh Maria and he said that there is no such thing as is being made out in a section of the media since yesterday, " an enraged Bhatt told Monday evening.

He accused certain media persons of spreading "utter falsehoods, fiction, fantasy and sheer nonsense" in the name of investigative reporting.

Bhatt said when his son was fully cooperating with the investigators, where was the question of anybody attempting to curb his fundamental rights, especially when he could be a probable witness in the case?

"But here I am, spending the whole day answering to the same queries by mediapersons from all over the country, " said Bhatt.

Bhatt's son has been under the scanner of the investigating agencies since last week in the ongoing probe into the Mumbai connections of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) activists, David Colemn Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who have been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US.

Following media reports on the duo, Rahul had voluntarily approached the city police with information that he was acquainted with Headley, and how he had wanted to rent a flat in Mumbai.

"As a friend, I feel betrayed by Headley," Rahul told a leading daily after the controversy broke. "He seemed like a regular, friendly guy... and I feel betrayed by the media for making up this image of me."

Bhatt said he first met Headley at a bodybuilding competition in early 2007 where both were among the spectators. He said they went out for lunches and movies with Varak, who has already been questioned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

A realty consultant from Bandra, Sunny Singh had said that he was approached by Headley to hire out a flat in Pali Hill, Bandra.

Headley was passionate about fitness, and military Special Forces. He told Bhatt and Varak about the Delta Force of the US military and the top-secret force called Special Activities Division of the CIA that carries out covert political action and paramilitary operations.

"He claimed to have done a stint with the US army," said Bhatt. "I always wondered whether he was a CIA agent and used to jokingly call him Agent Headley."

"I don't go out, it's weighing on my mind. I don't have many friends — but most acquaintances have not called," Bhatt said. "But I am not frightened. My conscience is clear. My slate is clean. The media hoopla is just ridiculous."

Bhatt, expected to be questioned by the NIA soon, said he was pained that his name had still not been officially cleared in the investigation.

"I did my duty as a citizen, I'm happy to helped the police," he said. "But it's tragic, what has followed."