I am sensitive to #MeToo movement: Ajay

After being singled out for working with Alok Nath in 'De De Pyaar De', actor Ajay Devgn says replacing the disgraced actor would have been a monetary blow to the makers of the film.

"When the #MeToo movement happened, I along with many of my film industry colleagues categorically expressed that I respect every single woman at the workplace and I would not stand for any unfairness or atrocity against them.

Nothing about my stand has changed," Ajay said in an official statement.

"I reiterate I am extremely sensitive to the #MeToo movement. But when circumstances are beyond me, I don't see why an attempt is being made to `single' me out as being insensitive. This is untrue," he said.

The statement has come after he was criticised by actress Tanushree Dutta and writer Vinta Nanda who alleged that Alok raped her. Tanushree called him "morally bankrupt and a spineless hypocrite", and Vinta said she "did not expect anything" from him.

Putting the decision to retain Alok's scenes in perspective, Ajay said, this film was supposed to be an October 2018 release, the shoot got over by September and the portions with Alok Nath were canned by August in Manali.

"The said portions were shot over 40 days across various sets and an outdoor location with a combination of over 10 actors. By the time the allegations surfaced (in October 2018) the actors in the film, including me, had already started work on other films."