Netflix’s latest movie, Inspector Zende, turned out to be one of the funniest comedy thrillers from the Indian cinema I randomly picked. The script, actors, and even the English dub were so on point that it’s gonna make you tickle while keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time. And before I expand on my Inspector Zende’s review, as always, I must warn you, there are spoilers ahead.
Enjoy the movie; the suspense of the story is the best part, especially if you’re not familiar with the inspiration behind Carl Bhojraj’s character- the infamous murderer Charles Sobhraj!
An Appreciation for the Work that Manoj Bajpayee Does
A good story, every time Manoj Bajpayee picks it up, becomes brilliant. Be it Aligarh, The Family Man, Gangs of Wasseypur, or Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai, what Manoj Bajpayee brings to the screen is an alchemy only he can conjure.
With his iconic roles like Srikant Tiwari, Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, or Sardar Khan, Inspector Zende definitely deserves to be remembered. He was versatile in the movie and delivered perfection for every element, whether comedy, quirky action, or a couple of serious scenes in between.
Check out this trailer before you read further!
Chinmay Mandlekar, the director of the film, definitely made a great decision hiring him for the lead role.
In one of his Instagram posts, Chinmay is also seen thanking Manoj Bajpayee for his work.
Along with Manoj Bajpayee, Bhau Kadam’s Patil, Harish Dudhade’s Jacob, Vaibhav Mangle’s Fonseca, Onkar Raut’s Patekar, and Jim Sarbh’s Carl were nicely done.
Beyond that, Sachin Khedekar’s calm authority, Girija Oak’s graceful screen presence, Bharat Savale’s sharp detailing, Devaang Bagga’s subtle punches, and Nitin Bhajan’s grounded realism further stitched the narrative into something truly memorable.
Together, all these geniuses transformed a gritty cat-and-mouse saga into a quirky comedy that’s perfect for every weekend watch. And Chinmay Mandlekar, whose mind converted the legend into a funny script and directed it, also deserves a standing ovation for his beautiful work.
If you like Inspector Zende, there’s much he has offered to the Marathi Cinema you should explore. Start with Tumchi Mulgi Kay Karte or Chandramukhi. Inspector Zende, however, was his directorial debut
Who was Charles Sobhraj, the inspiration behind Carl Bhojraj’s character?
Before I take you deeper into the movie’s plot, let me tell you about the serial killer who kept India as well as Europe on its toes. The guy was known as the Bikini Killer and had targeted Western tourists on the hippy trail in the mid-1970s. By the time he was finally jailed in 1976 by the Indian police, Charles was already believed to have murdered at least 20 unsuspecting travelers across South and Southeast Asia.
Here’s a glimpse of Jim Sarbh as Carl Bhojraj!
Who was Inspector Zende, the Brave Cop Who Nabbed Charles Twice?
Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende of the Mumbai Police became a legend in Indian policing for one simple reason: he caught Charles Sobhraj not once, but twice. First, in 1971, he arrested Sobhraj in Mumbai after tracking him to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
And again in 1986, when he cornered him in Goa with nothing more than calm confidence and a few constables for backup. What makes Zende stand out isn’t just the fact that he put India’s most slippery conman-killer behind bars, but the way he did it—without firing a single bullet in his entire career.
His sharp instincts, unshakable patience, and refusal to be intimidated made him Sobhraj’s worst nightmare and a hero the Netflix film captures with both humor and grit.
The epic team that nabs Bhojraj in Netflix’s new comedy, Inspector Zende!
The Cinematography Was Perfectly Done
I won’t say the cinematography of Inspector Zende offered something that you’d not seen before, but that exactly works out well for the film. You will find it in the perfect pace, giving crucial things enough time, while keeping the titular character, Inspector Zende, in focus. It doesn’t divert to build a whole background to make things boring.
Instead, it introduces you to characters and gives you a little background on the story. In parallel, it also lets you do your own research if you’re curious. I also loved how there were no unnecessary songs. Instead, BGMs were quite catchy.
Songs titled Majhi Baygo and Charlie Baby were co-crafted by Swanand Kirkire (the Shor-gul and Meri Jaan fame), Nakash Aziz, Sanket Sane, and Waking Grunt. Majhi Baygo has honestly been running constantly in my mind since I watched the movie. Inspector Zende’s theme song is catchy as hell, too!
Songs are already live on JioSaavn, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, etc.!
Inspector Zende Ending Explained
Now comes the heaviest spoilers of all.
After the whole game of cat and mouse was over, we see the Goa police trying to stop the Mumbai police team from crossing the border. Well, the whole thing was about the credit for capturing Carl Bhojraj. The film also shows the Delhi police trying its luck in the game as well, earlier in the movie.
However, at the end, the Goa vs. Mumbai police adds the last layer of funny into the whole plot. But once the senior team led by the DGP arrives at the scene, Inspector Zende shares the credit with the Goa police as a gesture of goodwill? Or maybe it was the beginning of a better collaboration in the future.
Finally, we see a shot of a gentleman coming out of the car. While the character in focus reveals his identity, if you missed, he was the OG Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende.
Here’s a BTS scene the director, Chinmay Mandlekar, himself posted on his IG.
My Review? I Think Netflix’s Inspector Zende is Almost Well-done
I think for a directorial debut, Chinmay did a brilliant job. The movie does what it is supposed to do. In its own world as a quirky comedy released by Netflix, it’s definitely a 4.5 out of 5. And I am not going to compare it against the grand world of international cinema.
It’s a fun weekend watch that will make you giggle while introducing you to one of the most important chapters defining the history of Mumbai Police.
Enjoy it and give me a shoutout if you agree with my thoughts!
I will be reviewing such hidden gems more often. So, don’t forget to sign up!
And if you’re in the mood for something darker, check out the list of horror movies I have posted. Tons of great stuff for you to check out there!
FAQs
Who was Inspector Zende?
Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende was a Mumbai Police officer famed for capturing Charles Sobhraj twice — first in 1971 (tracked to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel) and again in 1986 in Goa. He was known for sharp instincts, patience, and resolving cases without firing a shot.
Has Inspector Zende been released?
Yes. Inspector Zende was released on Netflix on September 5, 2025 and is available to stream.
Who is Commissioner Zende?
The film centres on Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende (an inspector, not a commissioner). There is no widely reported ‘Commissioner Zende’. The central real-world figure and film character is Inspector Zende, the Mumbai cop who caught Charles Sobhraj.
Who directed Inspector Zende?
Chinmay Mandlekar directed Inspector Zende; the film is his directorial debut.
Who plays the lead roles in Inspector Zende?
Manoj Bajpayee plays Inspector Zende and Jim Sarbh portrays Carl Bhojraj. Other notable cast members include Bhau Kadam, Harish Dudhade, Vaibhav Mangle, Onkar Raut, Sachin Khedekar, and Girija Oak.
Is Inspector Zende based on a true story?
Yes. The film is inspired by real events involving Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende and Charles Sobhraj (the so-called Bikini Killer).
What music or songs stand out in Inspector Zende?
Standout tracks mentioned in the review include ‘Majhi Baygo’ and ‘Charlie Baby’, co-crafted by Swanand Kirkire, Nakash Aziz, Sanket Sane, and Waking Grunt. The film’s BGMs and theme are also noted as very catchy.
How did CineCinnati rate Inspector Zende?
CineCinnati rated Inspector Zende 4.5 out of 5 stars for its storytelling, performances (especially Manoj Bajpayee), and Chinmay Mandlekar’s direction.
Does the review contain spoilers?
Yes — the review contains spoilers and an ending explanation, including the Goa vs. Mumbai police sequence and the cameo reveal of the real Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende.
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