Chennai, Mar 21 (IANS): Southern actress Meena's four-year-old daughter Nainika, who makes her acting debut in upcoming Tamil actioner "Theri", was looked after by the team with care and affection as their own.

Directed by Atlee, "Theri" features Tamil superstar Vijay and Nainika plays his daughter.

"When Atlee approached me, I assumed he had come with a role for me. But when he revealed he wanted to cast my daughter, I really wasn't too keen on the idea, because she was too young. However, Atlee insisted that I listen to the story," Meena told IANS.

It was the story that eventually convinced Meena.

"After I heard the story, I realised the importance of Nainika's character. The story is weaved around her and the relationship she shares with her father, played by Vijay. She has about 40 scenes, mostly seen alongside Vijay throughout the film," she said.

Happy with the way her daughter was treated by the entire team of "Theri", Meena said it's an honour for her daughter to have worked with Vijay.