Zende
Fun Facts of Movie
Inspector Zende is a Hindi-language comedy thriller directed by Chinmay Mandlekar in his feature debut, loosely inspired by the real-life exploits of Mumbai Police officer Madhukar Bapurao Zende, who arrested serial killer Charles Sobhraj (reimagined here as the charismatic conman Carl Bhojraj) not once, but twice—first in 1971 and again in 1986 after Sobhraj’s daring escape from Tihar Jail.
The film, produced by Jay Shewakramani and Om Raut, stars Manoj Bajpayee as the earnest, no-nonsense Inspector Zende and Jim Sarbh as the slippery, narcissistic Bhojraj. Set against the vibrant chaos of 1980s Mumbai and Goa, it blends cat-and-mouse pursuit with whimsical humour, transforming a grim true-crime tale into a lighthearted caper. It premiered exclusively on Netflix on September 5, 2025, clocking in at a breezy 1 hour 51 minutes.
The story kicks off with Bhojraj’s audacious jailbreak—drugging guards with spiked kheer on his “birthday”—and follows Zende’s dogged, resource-strapped chase across India. What could have been a straight procedural gets a farcical twist: the “Bikini Killer” becomes the “Swimsuit Killer,” chases are scored to RD Burman-esque tunes, and the Mumbai cops bumble through budget woes and inter-departmental rivalries.
While Zende’s team (including a humourless second-in-command and a slapstick assistant) provides comic relief. It’s less about the killer’s cunning (as in The Serpent) and more about the unsung heroics of an ordinary cop who relies on grit over gadgets.
Cast and Performances
Manoj Bajpayee is the film’s beating heart, delivering a masterclass in understated intensity as Zende—a plainspoken everyman whose quiet determination shines amid the absurdity. He effortlessly shifts from tender family moments to deadpan wit, making Zende a refreshing anti-hero: a protector, not a vigilante.
Jim Sarbh slithers through as Bhojraj with oily charm, turning the sociopath into a cartoonish trickster whose charisma disarms more than his crimes. The supporting ensemble steals scenes: Bhalchandra Kadam as the bumbling Patil brings physical comedy gold, Girija Oak adds warmth as Zende’s wife, and Sachin Khedekar grounds the police bureaucracy. It’s Bajpayee and Sarbh’s “chor-police” dynamic that elevates the material, making even the predictable beats feel alive.
Direction, Writing, and Technical Aspects
Mandlekar’s script commits to a “slacker noir” vibe—think The Nice Guys meets Rautu Ka Raaz—balancing slapstick with sombre undertones without fully trivializing the violence. The humour lands in situational gags (a wedding dance-off between cop and killer is a highlight), but the tonal tightrope occasionally wobbles, veering into caricature or stretched sequences.
Vishal Sinha’s cinematography captures 1980s nostalgia with vibrant hues and kinetic chases, while Priyanka Castelino’s costumes and Rajesh Choudhary’s production design evoke the era’s tacky glamour. The soundtrack, including the cheeky “Charlie Baby,” amps up the retro fun, though editing could trim the overlong climax.
Critical Reception
The film has garnered mixed-to-positive reviews, praised for its bold genre mash-up and Bajpayee’s charisma, but critiqued for uneven pacing and inconsistent humour. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 67% Tomatometer score based on 12 critics (average 6/10), with audiences at a similar 64%. Standout verdicts include:
| Source | Rating | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| NDTV | 3.5/5 | “Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh are phenomenal in this Netflix true-crime story… proof that you can make a quirky comedy about nabbing a serial killer without trivializing the crime.” |
| Access Bollywood | 3/4 | “A refreshing change: an Indian cop as protector, not executioner… more than enough for Bajpayee and Sarbh fans.” |
| Koimoi | 3.5/5 | “Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh deliver a masterclass in fun cop dramas—the ensemble makes it work like magic.” |
| Firstpost | Positive (no stars) | “An epic cat-and-mouse chase… you’ll love the simplicity of Manoj Bajpayee and his team.” |
| High On Films | Positive | “Transmutes its grim story into an extremely palatable dark comedy… among Netflix India’s better offerings.” |
| Hollywood Reporter India | Positive | “Injects history with humour… a unique crime drama standout because of its genre choice.” |
| Indian Express | 2/5 | “Patchy film fails to leave an impact… serio-comic tone falls flat.” |
| Mint | Mixed | “Riddled with scant humour, muddled history, and bargain-basement production values.” |
| Rediff | Mixed | “Had potential to be genuinely entertaining but settles for formulaic fun.” |
| Binged | 2/5 | “A wasted chase… reduces both cop and criminal to flat caricatures.” |
User reviews on IMDb (5.8/10 average) echo this divide: some call it “unfunny and predictable,” a letdown for Bajpayee fans, while others hail it as a “decent one-time watch” for its real-story roots and laughs. Early buzz on X (formerly Twitter) is sparse but positive among cinephiles, with one user noting Bajpayee’s seamless shift from Inspector Zende to another role as “peerless.”
Final Verdict:
3/5 Stars Inspector Zende is a delightful detour from Sobhraj’s usual serpentine spotlight, flipping the script to celebrate the cop who outsmarted him with heart and hustle. It’s not a flawless thriller—the comedy occasionally fizzles, and the stakes feel softened—but Bajpayee’s warmth and the film’s playful energy make it a fun, forgettable Netflix binge. Stream it if you crave light true-crime with laughs; skip if you want unvarnished grit. Perfect for a lazy weekend, especially if you’re in the “chor-police” camp.
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Inspector Zende Review: A Breath of Fresh Air in Cop Dramas
