A column published in a leading Mumbai afternoon daily states that eminent Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh was asked by Shah Rukh Khan's son whether he should be called "uncle or aunty".

After this, the columnist writes, "Ghosh had a lengthy discussion with the actor on how to bring up well-behaved children".

Ghosh is horrified: "This is not just a damaging and slanderous lie but also distressing because it casts aspersions on Shah Rukh Khan's parenting merits. No such thing happened! The incident reported in the column is entirely a figment of the writer's imagination."

Shah Rukh confirms as much.

Says Ghosh: "I haven't gone to Shah Rukh's home for five years. And I haven't met his son during that period. I'd have laughed it off if it was part of a gossip write-up. Coming from a well-known actor's wife (the columnist Nandita Puri is Om Puri's wife), this is truly shocking and unacceptable."

Ghosh claims he hasn't met Shah Rukh in a long, long time - contrary to the report that claims the incident took place in the actor's house here.

"Of course, I want to work with him. Who doesn't? But it doesn't mean I'd subject myself to humiliation from him or his family. And knowing Shah Rukh, he'd never allow his children to misbehave with guests.

"I'm surprised such irresponsible write-ups come from supposedly serious writers in Mumbai."

The same column also states that Ghosh dubbed most of the actresses' voices in his film 'Chokher Bali'.

"This again is completely untrue! What does the writer stand to gain from making such wild and baseless observations? If she's trying to belittle me and cast aspersions on my sexuality, I'd just like to say she has no business doing so. Surely the wife of such a distinguished actor needs to exercise some restraint in public!"

Upset hurt and compromised, Ghosh says he is contemplating legal action.