Actor Pankaj Kapur denies he has been signed to play the title role in Satish Kaushik's "Ram Bihari Mritak".

There were recent reports that Satish had confirmed Pankaj in place of Anil Kapoor, his earlier choice for the role of Ram Bihari.

"It was news to me when I read this particular story. It is a case of bad journalism. The truth is that I haven't even read the script of 'Ram Bihari Mritak' nor am I aware of what the film is all about," said Pankaj.

"I have no knowledge about Anil Kapoor having been approached to play the role until I read it in the news," he revealed.

According to him, Satish Kaushik had spoken to him on a couple of occasions in the past and expressed his desire to work with him.

"But we had not met ever since," Pankaj disclosed.

"Ram Bihari Mritak" is Satish Kaushik's first serious attempt to break away from commercial cinema. The film is based on the story of a man in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district who was declared dead by his family more than 20 years ago and has been fighting to prove he is alive ever since.

Ram Bihari learnt of his own 'death' when he applied for a bank loan and saw the stamp of 'Mritak' (dead) against his name.

Kaushik had said that he was planning a very theatrical format for the film. He said he planned to complete the shooting in 40 days.