By Subhash K Jha The super-choosy Pankaj Kapoor has not been seen in any film for the past three years besides the ill-fated Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola. He is unlikely to be seen in any film in the coming years.

Apparently Pankaj Kapoor backed out of Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's film at the last minute.

Shudders Chauhan, `Pankajji backed out the night before shooting. We had to replace him with Pavan Malhotra when the set was ready at Film City. And since the actor Ashwath Bhatt who was to co-star with Pankajji did not match Pawan age-wise we had to replace him as well. `

Chauhan is baffled about why Pankaj Kapoor chose to exit so late in the day. `It's still a mystery to me as as to why this happened. Pankajji signed the deal. Just 16 hours before shooting he said he wasn't ready for this film at this point of time in his career. `

Shocked and betrayed Chauhan says, `But I still have the highest regard for Pankaj Saab and look forward to working with him in the future. `