Bollywood actor Bobby Deol denies rumors about his father Dharmendra's illness, saying it was his mother who wasn't keeping well and he was sitting with his father when the news was flashed on television.

"In fact, I was sitting with dad in Chandigarh when we heard the news on television that he had been taken ill. I was like, 'What?' I looked at him to make sure that he was well. But, seriously, such rumors can really cause terrible stress. When my sisters heard it on the news they were frantic," Bobby told IANS over the phone from Chandigarh.

He was in Chandigarh shooting for Anil Sharma's "Apne", which stars all the three Deols - papa Dharmendra along with sons Sunny and Bobby.

"Forget about a heart attack, my dad is as fit as can be. Touchwood, we hope he remains that way. But I must say a section of the media is going loony chasing the so-called news.

"Why couldn't they confirm with any one of us in the family before writing such baseless things? My dad is always accessible. They could've called him directly and asked him. I guess a star falling ill makes big news," he said.

"It wasn't my dad, but my mom who wasn't feeling well. Our doctor-friend from America was treating her. He accompanied us to Chandigarh where he came to kick off an emergency ward in a hospital. I guess seeing the family doctor around just fuelled the baseless rumor. Dad is fine. We want him to remain that way," the young Deol added.