Kamlesh Sawant on Ajay Devgn: Gaitonde actor recalls Khakee bond ahead of Drishyam finale
Synopsis
Character actor Kamlesh Sawant has revealed how Ajay Devgn — a superstar who didn't need to — personally walked across the Goa set of Drishyam to acknowledge him from Khakee, 11 years prior. That quiet act of recognition, Sawant says, defines the kind of legend Devgn is — and sets the emotional backdrop as Gaitonde returns for the franchise's much-awaited conclusion on 2 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
Kamlesh Sawant first worked with Ajay Devgn in Khakee ( 2004 ), directed by Rajkumar Santoshi .
The two reunited 11 years later on the sets of the original Drishyam , filmed in Goa .
Devgn personally walked up to Sawant on set, recalling his role in Khakee and rallying the team around the Gaitonde character.
In Drishyam The Conclusion , Gaitonde teams up with SP Crime Branch Officer Rajveer Singh Tomar , played by Jaideep Ahlawat .
The film, directed by Abhishek Pathak , releases theatrically on 2 October 2026 .
Kamlesh Sawant, who has brought the tenacious cop Gaitonde to life across the Drishyam franchise, has opened up about his working relationship with Ajay Devgn — tracing it back to their first on-screen collaboration in the 2004 action drama Khakee and through to the forthcoming Drishyam The Conclusion, set for theatrical release on 2 October 2026.
A Bond Built on Khakee
Sawant and Devgn first shared screen space in Khakee, the 2004 film helmed by director Rajkumar Santoshi. It would be 11 years before the two actors worked together again — this time on the sets of the original Drishyam, filmed in Goa, where Sawant stepped into the role of the relentless police officer determined to expose the truth about Vijay Salgaonkar and his family.
The Moment That Stayed With Sawant
Speaking about his experience on the first Drishyam, Sawant described his usual approach of keeping to himself and concentrating on his character rather than engaging with lead stars during shooting. That restraint, he said, made one particular gesture from Devgn all the more meaningful.
According to Sawant, it was Devgn who walked up to him on set — recognising him from their earlier work together. Sawant recalled Devgn saying: 'Kamlesh Tu Khakee mein tha na, black mein, mein tuje goli marta hu' — referencing the scene where Devgn's character shoots him in the 2004 film. Devgn then reportedly told those around him that everyone wanted to know who was playing Gaitonde, and encouraged the team to make the most of the character.
Sawant responded, in his own words: 'Nahi sir, iss character ko nibhane ki, nayae dene ki mein puri koshish karunga.' He described the moment as profoundly significant for a character actor. 'That is the kind of legend Ajay Devgn is — he himself walked up to have a conversation with me, and it is a very big deal for a character actor like me,' Sawant said.
Gaitonde's Role in the Finale
The character of Gaitonde has evolved into one of the franchise's most compelling threads, with his unwavering suspicion of Vijay Salgaonkar and his family driving much of the narrative tension. In Drishyam The Conclusion, Gaitonde returns with heightened resolve, this time joining forces with SP Crime Branch Officer Rajveer Singh Tomar, portrayed by Jaideep Ahlawat, as the investigation enters its most decisive phase.
About Drishyam The Conclusion
The film marks the final chapter of the acclaimed franchise and brings back Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar, alongside Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, Prakash Raj, Kamlesh Sawant, Ishita Dutta, and Mrunal Jadhav, among others. Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the film is written by Abhishek Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan, and Parveez Shaikh, and produced by Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak under Panorama Studios, presented by Star Studio18. With the franchise's conclusion arriving on 2 October 2026, audience anticipation around whether Gaitonde finally gets his answers — and what that means for Vijay Salgaonkar — is running high.
Point of View
But as a window into how character actors navigate mainstream Bollywood. The fact that a moment of simple acknowledgement from a co-star registers as career-defining underscores how marginalised supporting performers often are on big-budget sets. Devgn's gesture was generous, but it also says something about an industry where such basic recognition is the exception, not the norm. As Drishyam The Conclusion markets itself heavily on its ensemble, Sawant's candour is a useful reminder of who actually holds these franchises together — scene by scene.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kamlesh Sawant and what role does he play in Drishyam?
Kamlesh Sawant is a character actor who plays Inspector Gaitonde in the Drishyam franchise — a sharp, persistent police officer determined to expose the truth about Vijay Salgaonkar and his family. The character has appeared across the franchise and returns in Drishyam The Conclusion.
What did Ajay Devgn say to Kamlesh Sawant on the Drishyam set?
According to Sawant, Devgn walked up to him on the Goa set of the first Drishyam and said: 'Kamlesh Tu Khakee mein tha na, black mein, mein tuje goli marta hu.' Devgn then encouraged the team to make the most of the Gaitonde character, which Sawant described as a deeply meaningful moment for a character actor.
When is Drishyam The Conclusion releasing?
Drishyam The Conclusion is set to release theatrically on 2 October 2026. The film is the final chapter of the Drishyam franchise, directed by Abhishek Pathak and presented by Star Studio18.
Who stars in Drishyam The Conclusion?
The film features Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar, alongside Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, Prakash Raj, Kamlesh Sawant, Ishita Dutta, and Mrunal Jadhav, among others. Jaideep Ahlawat plays SP Crime Branch Officer Rajveer Singh Tomar.
What is the connection between Kamlesh Sawant and Ajay Devgn before Drishyam?
Sawant and Devgn first worked together in Khakee (2004), a film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. They reunited 11 years later on Drishyam, which was shot in Goa, marking the beginning of Sawant's role as Gaitonde in the franchise.
