DHAKA: Police say actor Sam Worthington has been arrested in New York City for punching a photographer after the man kicked Worthington’s girlfriend, Lara Bingle, in the shin.

The 37-year-old Avatar actor was arrested on an assault charge following the incident Sunday evening.

The actor also sparked a controversy when he allegedly accused the paparazzo of kicking his ‘wife’.

Several reports earlier this year suggested that the couple had secretly married in Western Australia ahead of a romantic trip to the Maldives, reported Mail Online.

They have since been seen wearing matching rings on their wedding fingers.

The Australian actor was released and is due back in court on Wednesday. Police did not say what caused the scuffle, reports Hindustan Times.

The photographer, 37-year-old Sheng Li, was arrested on charges of reckless endangerment, assault and harassment. He’s being held pending arraignment.

It wasn’t immediately clear if both had lawyers.

BDST: 1610 HRS, FEB 24, 2014