Actor Kamlesh Sawant, known for his portrayal of sub-inspector Laxmikant Gaitonde in the popular film franchise Drishyam, has opened up about a challenging moment he experienced while shooting for the sequel, Drishyam 2. During a recent interview, Sawant recounted an unfortunate incident where a choreographed scene resulted in an accidental physical strike, highlighting the intense and often unpredictable nature of film production.
According to the actor, the scene in question involved a dramatic interaction between his character and the character played by Ishita Dutta. The production team had carefully rehearsed the sequence beforehand, establishing a specific, safe distance between the two actors to ensure the action looked realistic on camera while remaining completely safe for the performers involved. However, the final take did not go according to the initial plan.
Sawant explained that when the cameras began rolling for the actual take, the spatial dynamics shifted. As he moved to execute the slap as rehearsed, the distance between him and Dutta had inadvertently closed. Consequently, instead of a controlled motion, his hand landed directly on her face. The actor admitted that he was immediately struck by panic and anxiety as the mistake occurred in front of the entire crew during the final recording.
The situation became more stressful when the film's director, the late Nishikant Kamat, reacted with visible frustration to the error. Kamat reportedly directed verbal abuse toward Sawant immediately following the unintended strike. It was at this critical moment that Ishita Dutta stepped in to intervene. Despite the impact, she quickly came to the defense of her co-star, shielding him from the director’s anger by clarifying the situation.
Dutta explained to the director that the mishap was not the result of negligence or poor performance by Sawant, but rather a calculation error regarding the distance between them. She took responsibility for the proximity issue, insisting that Sawant had merely followed the choreography they had practiced during the rehearsal sessions. Her swift and supportive intervention was a significant moment for the actor, who confessed that he had been left visibly flustered and embarrassed by the entire ordeal.
Reflecting on the incident, Sawant expressed his deep gratitude for Dutta's professional and empathetic conduct. He noted that such a gesture from a co-star in the middle of a high-pressure production environment meant a great deal to him, as it helped de-escalate the tension and allowed him to regain his composure to continue with the filming process.
Beyond this specific incident, Sawant also took the opportunity to discuss his positive experiences working with lead actor Ajay Devgn. He shared that his professional relationship with the superstar dates back to the 2004 film Khakee. Their paths crossed again over a decade later on the sets of Drishyam in Goa. Sawant recounted how he had initially maintained a respectful distance, assuming that a high-profile star like Devgn would be preoccupied with his complex scenes and extensive dialogue preparations.
To his pleasant surprise, Devgn chose to approach him first, initiating a warm conversation by recalling their previous work together. Sawant highlighted that, despite his own status as a character artist, he has consistently found big stars to be kind and respectful throughout his career. This experience, he noted, reinforced his admiration for the industry's senior actors who maintain a sense of humility and camaraderie despite their massive success and busy schedules. The memories of these professional interactions remain a highlight of his experience working within the Hindi film industry.
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