The latest ludicrous rumour doing the rounds in Bollywood is that Bipasha and John Abraham's relationship is on the brink because of his growing fondness for Esha Deol. And that Bipasha had a public spat with Esha to warn her off.

Those who know the couple well would know how preposterous all this sounds.

While Bipasha refuses to "dignify the baseless rumours", John terms the gossip as "such a below-the-belt thing to do".

Says Bipasha: "I know how yellow journalism operates, start a baseless rumour, then the denials and so on. One magazine wrote about it. The next thing we know another tabloid decided to play it up. And so it goes. I knew it would happen.

"If gossip magazines want to sell more copies, fine. But please don't put our quotes out of context and try to make us look foolish. Because we aren't foolish people! Such rumours come and go. I've been a part of the entertainment business for more years than John. I've been constantly badgered with gossipy link-ups.

"Luckily for me I've been spared for the last one-and-a-half years. Since he's the new flavour, it's now John's turn. It's okay. Everyone has to deal with the good and bad write-ups.

"I must say the media has been largely fair to John and me. Yes, they've linked him with Tara Sharma, Udita Goswami, Lara Dutta and now Esha, there'll be other such rumours. All I can say is what a man I am with... Wow!"

Sobering down, Bipasha whispers that she feels sad that John isn't being allowed to work at a time when he's finally getting there after working so hard.

"The last thing he needs is unsavoury rumours. He's being written about for all sorts of things -- family, house loan, girlfriend -- when all he should be visible for is his work. If you're Shah Rukh Khan, it's bearable to be written about things other than career. But for John, it isn't fair...

"A lot of stars have a PR machinery to keep them in the news by hook or crook. We don't need have it, don't need it.

"We've nothing to hide. What's there to hide? We're seeing each other. And we're proud of each other. It isn't a crime to be in love. But we're going to keep our distance from publications that insist on writing rubbish about us.

"So far we've read rubbish and forgotten about it because we're busy with our individual careers... Also because our families are totally disconnected from the film industry and we'd like to keep it that way. Yellow journalism is here to stay. But please don't take us for granted."

John Abraham is equally upset.

"It's such a below-the-belt thing to do. Bipasha is too dignified to be subjected to this. The last time I was linked to a heroine it was Tara Sharma during 'Saaya'. That rumour went much further. They said I was engaged to that lady! Thank god the Esha rumour isn't that drastic.

"The more commercial viability I get the more I'll be subjected to these rumours. I've been repeatedly linked with women in the past. But now I want to work, not become a part of the rumour mills. Everyone goes through this. 'Kaal' with Esha has come and gone. So these rumours will die down.

"What concerns me is my relationship with Bipasha. We've a lot of mutual respect. Please don't question the sanctity of our relationship. Don't challenge the dignity of a woman who is simple and straight and who never plays games. Bipasha is very open about her feelings. Please don't put words in her mouth. She never said 'Stay away from John' to Esha. Why on earth would she say that to Esha?

"At the premiere of 'Sarkar', they were chatting away amicably, not fighting. My god! What imagination these journos have! Esha is a very nice straightforward girl. Why put her through such embarrassing and baseless rumours?"

John admits that such constant rumours do put a strain on his personal life.

"After a point you start questioning yourself. Is this guy really me?! I come from a family that strongly believes in the institution of work and marriage. We don't play around with these areas of life. My parents are straight and simple folks. We believe in working hard. Now when my career is looking relatively bright with a beautiful release like 'Viruddh', please don't drag me down to the level of a cheap Casanova."

Link-ups that never were:

Gulzar-Meena Kumari
Rajesh Khanna-Sharmila Tagore
Kareena Kapoor-Fardeen Khan
Akskay Kumar-Priyanka Chopra
Saif Ali Khan-Preity Zinta
Rani Mukherjee-Abhishek Bachchan
Sammir Dattani-Soha Ali Khan
John Abraham-Esha Deol