
The moment unfolded in the humid Goa studio, where Kamlesh Sawant, playing sub‑inspector Laxmikant Gaitonde, was supposed to deliver a scripted slap to Ishita Dutta’s character. But rehearsals had kept them at a safe distance; on the final take, that distance collapsed, and his hand landed smack on her face.
Nishikant Kamat didn’t take it lightly. He shouted at the crew, then turned on Kamlesh, berating him for the mishap. Ishita, quick on her feet, stepped in—‘No, sir, it’s my fault,’ she blurted, smoothing the tension.
Kamlesh later admitted he felt the heat of the director’s glare, his cheeks flushing—‘I turned red out of panic,’ he said, laughing at the memory. The incident became a running joke among the crew, a reminder that even seasoned actors can slip up.
On a lighter note, the actor recalls a different kind of camaraderie with Ajay Devgn, who had taken time out to chat after their 2004 meeting in Khakee. Ajay’s casual remark about a bullet scene in a later film had Kamlesh grinning for days, underscoring the respect big stars show to smaller roles.
Between the slap and the banter, the Drishyam 2 set proved that film sets are as much about quick thinking and mutual support as they are about the script. The real magic lies in how teammates cover each other when the unexpected hits the set.