US Edition‘Inspector Zende’ Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee Makes This Chase for Charles Moderately Enjoyable
'Inspector Zende' blends true crime with parody, showcasing Manoj Bajpayee's lead role capturing serial killer Charles Sobhraj in a cat-and-mouse chase with comedic elements.
- On Friday, Netflix released Inspector Zende, a Chinmay Mandlekar-directed crime comedy starring Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh that premiered on September 5, 2025.
- Based on real events, the film follows Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende, real-life police officer who captured Charles Sobhraj twice, with the 1986 story starting after a March 16, 1986 Tihar Jail breakout.
- Framed as a parody, the film casts Charles Sobhraj as a 'Swimsuit Killer' snake and Inspector Zende as a mongoose, while critics praised Manoj Bajpayee's warm turn and Jim Sarbh's striking villainy.
- Reviewers concluded it is a one-time watch with a 3.5/5 rating, applauding Manoj Bajpayee and noting positive public response since its Netflix release.
- The film's stylistic choices, including 1980s production design and sepia cinematography recreating Mumbai and Goa, make director Chinmay Mandlekar's bold debut a nostalgic, uneven spoof.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Inspector Zende Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee delivers must-see performance in a gripping crime thriller
Manoj Bajpayee's much-awaited film 'Inspector Zende' is now streaming on Netflix. Chinmay Mandlekar's directorial also features Girija Oak, Jim Sarbh, Sachin Khedekar and others in the lead roles. Scroll down to read the full review.
Inspector Zende movie review: Manoj Bajpayee-Jim Sarbh’s patchy film fails to leave an impact
Inspector Zende movie review: The attempt at a serio-comic tone in the Manoj Bajpayee-Jim Sarbh film falls flat with only an occasional leap or two, with the writing struggling to match the audacity of the criminal and the enterprise of his nemesis.
Netflix's ‘Inspector Zende’ Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee shines in the role of real-life Inspector Madhukar Zende
Netflix ‘Inspector Zende’ Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee is indeed an effortless craftsman who can pull off any role and this time he plays the role of real-life Inspector Madhukar Zende who caught serial killer Charles Sobhraj.
Inspector Zende: Manoj Bajpayee lauded for playing Officer Madhukar Zende with perfection; meet the inspiration behind Manoj Bajpayee's
Netflix's Inspector Zende, which features Manoj Bajpayee as the protagonist, continues to be lauded by the viewers. Reason? The ease and perfection with which Manoj Bajpayee slips into his character - that of Mumbai's most legendary police officer - Madhukar Bapurao Zende. The drama makes for a gripping watch as it revolves around Madhukar Bapurao Zende chasing and nabbing th notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj. However, in reality, Zende's …
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