Kamlesh Sawant has played sub-inspector Laxmikant Gaitonde across all three Drishyam films, and the Marathi actor says the role changed his life. Drishyam: The Conclusion released on October 2, and Sawant spoke about his journey in an interview with Bollywood Hungama on October 7.

Sawant recalled that Ajay Devgn first noticed him in Khakee in 2004. Eleven years later, when the first Drishyam was being shot in Goa in 2015, Devgn recognised him on the sets and the Gaitonde role followed.

The actor said the part brought him lasting recognition but also typecasting. In a separate conversation on the RK Talk Show, he revealed that he turned down 17 police officer roles after the first Drishyam because he did not want to repeat himself.

Gaitonde, the relentless local cop who keeps closing in on Vijay Salgaonkar, has become one of the franchise’s most loved supporting characters. Sawant’s story is a reminder of how long character actors can wait for one role to change everything.