/> Dino Morea did a disappearing act from the episode of Ek Main Aur Ek Tu to be telecast this evening.

According to the show's producer-director Gajendra Singh, "Dino was out of the country doing some shows."

But Dino was very much in town. Usually it's organizers who are candid about star truancy. But the constantly candid star revealed, "Yeah I was called on the show. I didn't attend for two reasons. One, I was rehearsing for my show on Saturday.

"Two, because I don't want to come on any show without being paid. I'd be happy to give the money to charity. But since these music contests are all commercial ventures why do they expect us to be on them for free?"

Dino incidentally had been on Sa Re Ga Ma Challenge as part of the Holiday package (Pooja Bhatt, Anjoli Nair). Apparently he couldn't say no to Pooja.

In Dino's absence the other two protagonists of Tom Dick & Harry, Jimmy Shergil and Anuj Sawhney had a chance to monopolize the show.

Says Singh, "Dino's presence was sorely missed. He strikes a note of empathy with the contestants. He has a very warm personality."

Incidentally Dino isn't the first contestant to not turn up for the music contest. Mallika Sherwat has done a disappearing act on Sa Re Ga Ma. She was quickly replaced by Subhash Ghai.

But Dino's absence was not compensated. "Just proves I'm irreplaceable," quips Dino.

Next week Ek Main Aur Ek Tu plans to invite the Sa Ra Ga Ma winner Debojit Saha. "We'll officially release his debut album on the show, and he'll sing a couple of tracks," announces Gajendra Singh.