This week, while major films like Baagi 4, The Conjuring, and The Bengal Files hit theaters, Netflix released a new film, Inspector Zende, starring Manoj Bajpayee. Despite limited content, Bajpayee has always made each role memorable through his acting prowess.
Inspector Zende can be described as a light-hearted comedy with a hidden criminal thrill. The story is based on a real account involving the notorious criminal Charles Sobhraj. Sobhraj, known as the “Bikini Killer” and “The Serpent”, was one of the most dangerous criminals of his time. The film captures a gripping yet lesser-known part of his story long ago.
Story Overview
Set in the 1970s, Charles Sobhraj was a criminal mastermind who fooled and murdered more than 20 people, including 14 tourists in Thailand. With his charming looks, he trapped his victims, poisoned them, and stole from them. Meanwhile, in Mumbai, there was a dedicated inspector named Madhukar Zende, played by Manoj Bajpayee.
Zende did what many thought was impossible—he captured Sobhraj not once, but twice, despite Sobhraj’s ability to evade capture by multiple international police forces. In 1976, Sobhraj was arrested and sent to Tihar Jail, where he remained until around 1997—or so the film portrays. He famously escaped in 1986, and Inspector Zende once again took on the task of bringing him to justice.
The film blends police investigation, drama, and comedy into a compelling mix. Spanning 1 hour and 52 minutes, it is engaging and easy to understand. The story takes place in Mumbai, so the movie includes many Marathi actors and dialogues in Marathi. This adds a sense of authenticity and regional realism.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- The soft comedy punches are entertaining.
- The situational humor is well-placed and genuinely funny.
- Manoj Bajpayee’s performance keeps the audience engaged—from serious detective scenes to lighter moments.
- The climax, though simple, remains engaging because of solid writing, screenplay, and dialogue.
- Jim Sarbh as Charles Sobhraj is spot-on casting.
- The art direction captures the 1980s vibe with attention to detail.
- The film stands out in a field packed with heavier releases.
Weaknesses:
- The tone can feel uneven. At times, the story seems overly simple or even childish, then quickly switches to serious.
- If the film leaned into more complexity in the thriller aspect, the climax might have been stronger.
Final Thoughts
Inspector Zende may not be a masterpiece, but it succeeds at entertaining audiences with its presentation, timing, characters, and fast-paced storytelling. If you don’t feel like watching big theatrical releases this weekend, this film offers a delightful and entertaining option.
This film also introduces audiences to the courage of one unsung real-life inspector. Kudos to director Chinmay Mandlekar for telling Zende’s story and producer Om Raut for bringing this intriguing concept to life.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
