Director-actor Mahesh Manjrekar is working out feverishly at a local Mumbai gym.

Besides his newfound penchant for acting on celluloid -- he won raves for his role as Baali in Sanjay Gupta's Kaante -- he has also landed the opportunity to direct a commercial for Sirtex vests and briefs.

What's more, he will act and direct the commercial. Actress Mahima Chaudhary, who works out at the same gym, will also feature in the ad.

Sporting a spiky hairstyle, vest, track pants and leather gloves, Manjrekar says, "It is not easy acting and directing yourself because you have to face the camera as well as look at the scene through the lens."

Initially, Manjrekar was to direct the commercial with Mahima and a leading actor training with dumbbells. The plan fizzled out and Mahima convinced Manjrekar into acting.

"After two months, my biceps will give other actors a complex!" he laughs.

"I have done a film with Mahesh and he is very cool director to work with," Mahima smiles, referring to her film Kurukshetra. As she is called for her shot, we leave Manjrekar mouthing Mard ki pehchaan, the catchphrase of the commercial.