Filmmaker Shashank Khaitan has warned fans against fake casting calls for his shelved project Mr. Lele. Announced in January, the film was supposed to star Varun Dhawan in the lead role. However, it was later shelved due to date issues.

“I have received many messages and emails from actors that someone, going by the name Nitesh Sharma Casting, is claiming to be a casting director for Dharma Productions and the film Mr. Lele,” Shashank shared in a note on Instagram. “He is asking for money for auditions and other favours. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS FALSE... No one by this name works for Dharma. Also, we are not casting for Mr. Lele, as the film is not happening at present.”

Shashank had last directed Dhadak (2018), starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter. He had worked with Varun on Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017).

Earlier in March, Shashank had revealed that Mr. Lele has been indefinitely shelved. “Karan, Varun and I have mutually decided to postpone the shooting of the film,” the filmmaker had stated. “It's a script we all love and am sure will revisit soon. But scheduling the film was turning out to be very tough, as the film has a solid ensemble cast and the dates were just not falling into place.”