Sydney, Aug 25 (IANS/EFE): Hollywood actor Mel Gibson has been accused by a photographer of attacking and insulting her while leaving a movie theatre in Sydney, local media reported. The actor has denied the accusations.

Gibson was with his girlfriend Rosalind Ross when reporter Kristi Miller drew close to photograph them at the exit gates of the theatre in Sydney late on Sunday.

Police said they were investigating the incident but did not mention the 59-year-old actor.

"I took a photo of Mel and his girlfriend and when I turned around he shoved my back really hard," Miller told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"He was spitting in my face as he was yelling at me, calling me a dog, saying I'm not even a human being and I will go to hell," said the photographer.

Miller said the actor stopped only when Ross, 24, intervened and apologised before walking away.

A spokesperson for Gibson -- known for movies like "Mad Max" and "Braveheart" -- said in Los Angeles that the actor and his girlfriend were harassed by a photographer, whom he accused of fabricating stories.

"There was no physical contact whatsoever with this photographer, who was harassing my client and his friend," the representative said.

Gibson, winner of two Oscar awards, is in Australia to prepare for the shooting in October of "Hacksaw Ridge", a story that takes place during World War II.