Who Played SI Gaitonde In Drishyam 3? Meet Marathi Actor Kamlesh Sawant, Winning Hearts For His Negative Character

Kamlesh Sawant plays SI Laxmikant Gaitonde in the Drishyam franchise (2015 to 2026). He played a ruthless, persistent cop. The Marathi actor has won hearts with his negative role as the police officer who relentlessly targets Vijay Salgaonkar and his family.

In Drishyam (2015), Gaitonde emerged as the main antagonist, driven by his determination to expose Vijay. His return in Drishyam 2 (2022), despite being suspended and disgraced, added tension to the story as he sought revenge against the Salgaonkar family.

Here's everything to know about the actor behind this widely recognised character:

Who Is Kamlesh Sawant?

Kamlesh Sawant was born on June 12, 1974, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, according to India Today. He's far more than just a recurring cop on screen. Sawant has built a solid name for himself in Marathi cinema and television over the years.

(Image: YouTube)

Here's a list of his movies in Hindi and Marathi languages:

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Audience Reaction To Kamlesh Sawant's Gaitonde

An appreciation is always a bonus for an actor. But when audiences hate a negative character, it can be a sign of a job well done. For Kamlesh Sawant, the audience's anger showed that his performance had worked.

In an earlier conversation with DNA, the actor recalled how audiences reacted to his performance in Drishyam (2015). During one screening, he noticed a woman sitting next to him move to another seat midway through the film. He later spoke to a crew member and realised how much his character had affected the audience.

Ajay Devgn's Vijay Salgaonkar remains the heart of the Drishyam story, but Kamlesh Sawant's Gaitonde has carved out his own space, becoming one of the most recognised and loved characters in the franchise.

Drishyam 3 Box Office Collection

Meanwhile, Drishyam 3 continues its strong run at the box office.

On Day 5, Drishyam 3: The Conclusion collected Rs 19 crore net in India, a 9.5% dip from the previous day.

With this, the film's total net collection in India has touched Rs 216.50 crore, while its gross stands at Rs 259.80 crore, as per trade tracker Sacnilk.

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The story continues to follow Vijay Salgaonkar, whose carefully guarded secrets formed the core of the first two films. This time, a fresh investigation puts him under pressure once again, threatening to expose what he's worked so hard to keep buried.

Ajay Devgn reprises his role as Vijay Salgaonkar, alongside Tabu as Meera Deshmukh and Jaideep Ahlawat as SP Rajveer Singh Tomar. The film also features Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Prakash Raj, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav, Kamlesh Sawant, Saurabh Shukla and Neha Joshi in key roles.

FAQ

1. What was Kamlesh Sawant's Bollywood debut movie?

Kamlesh Sawant made his Hindi cinema debut in the 2004 action-thriller Khakee, where he also played the role of a police constable.

2. How did audiences react to Kamlesh Sawant's character in Drishyam?

His portrayal was so convincing that viewers initially hated the character on screen.