Chennai, Mar 21 (IANS): Veteran filmmaker Mahendran, who makes his acting debut in Tamil superstar Vijay-starrer "Theri", says that he couldn't turn down the offer when he was approached to play the antagonist in the film.

"When Atlee approached me with the role and narrated the story, I was baffled and I asked him, 'Does Vijay know that I've been considered for the role?' When he said that Vijay was happy with his choice, I just couldn't refuse the offer," Mahendran told IANS.

Though he refused to divulge more details about his role, he was happy to finally don the greasepaint.

"I never imagined myself as an actor. But Atlee and producer Kalaipuli Thanu insisted that I act, and to have landed an opportunity to act alongside Vijay made everything even more special," he said.

Going by the film's trailer which was unveiled on Sunday, Mahendran has a menacing role in the film, which will hit the screens next month.

Also starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Amy Jackson, Vijay has donned the khaki in the film, which has music by G.V. Prakash Kumar.