I have avoided coterie around me: Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn feels that his dislike for a coterie around him has kept him in good stead in Bollywood.

Devgn had three hits to his credit last year and opened 2011 successfully with Madhur Bhandarkar's rom-com Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji but the national-award-winning actor says he has been careful about picking up people around him.

"I have never had a coterie around me whether at the beginning of my career or today," Devgn said.

"I may have seen highs as well as lows but never ever have I given myself in the hands of those who may take unfair advantage of me," says Devgn.

The actor says he did not think twice before agreeing to play a 40-year-old guy, who falls for his 20-something junior at the workplace.

Devgn and Emraan Hashmi reunited for the buddy comedy again in Dil Toh... after Once Upon A Time In Mumbai where they were pitted against each other.

"When Madhur came to me with Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji, I and Kumar Mangat (producer) sat down with him and started discussing the other co-actors. It was Madhur who came up with the idea of roping in Emraan and I was convinced too."

Devgn, who became father to a baby boy last year, has finally decided to go a little slow in picking up films and has dropped out of Prakash Jha's Aarakshan and Rajkumar Santoshi's Power.

He and actress wife Kajol already have a seven year-old daughter, Nysa.

The actor is planning to begin shooting Singham remake followed by Bol Bachchan but there has not been much movement on his film Tezz (earlier titled Bullet Train), which went on floors last year.

Devgn says the delay was caused because they wanted to have a more experienced producer on board.

"This is an expensive film and is required to be shot in a very lavish manner. It involves a lot of action with extensive schedule in overseas as well. In such a scenario, it is better to have someone who comes with the right expertise to handle such a mammoth project. There was some time that went into this deliberation and eventually Ratan Jain took over the film."

The actor is hopeful that Tezz would begin and wrap up soon.