Have you caught Inspector Zende on Netflix yet? It’s a new Bollywood film about a Mumbai cop chasing the infamous criminal Charles Sobhraj. It’s watchable once, but don’t expect to be raving about it. The mix of crime and comedy doesn’t quite hit the mark, with the writing and execution missing the punch they need. Let’s chat, like we’re sipping chai together, about why Inspector Zende feels average and whether it’s worth your time.
A Cop Who Made History
Mumbai Police has some big names, and Inspector Madhukar Zende is one of them. Why? He nabbed Charles Sobhraj, a notorious global criminal, not once but twice. Sobhraj, born Hotchand Bhawnani Gurumukh Sobhraj in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, was French with Indian Sindhi roots through his father. His parents never married, and growing up with his mother and stepfather, he felt ignored among their kids. By his teens, he was into petty crimes. At 19, he landed in jail.
After parole, Sobhraj’s criminal life took off. He married a French woman, Chantal Compagnon, got jailed for car theft, and fled to Asia to dodge French police. With fake documents, he scammed his way through Eastern Europe, robbing anyone he could. In Mumbai, he tried and failed to rob a jeweller’s shop. His wife left him, his half-brother joined him, and Sobhraj started a killing spree, mastering the art of escaping police across countries, including India.
In the 1970s and 80s, Sobhraj was a strange figure—a villain to some, a cunning legend to others for outsmarting police worldwide. So, a film about him? That’s exciting. With Manoj Bajpayee as Zende and Jim Sarbh as Sobhraj (renamed Carl Bhojraj), Inspector Zende promised a thrilling chase. But does it deliver?
Why It’s Got Buzz
Inspector Zende is getting attention because it’s a true-crime story with big stars. Sobhraj’s tale has been told before in shows like The Serpent and films like Main Aur Charles, but this time, the focus is on Zende, the cop who caught him. Released on Netflix on September 5, 2025, it’s got Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh, so people are talking. But it feels like it’s riding the true-crime wave without adding anything new. The story’s simple—Sobhraj escapes Delhi’s Tihar Jail in 1986, hides in Mumbai, and Zende, who nabbed him before, is sent to catch him again. The chase moves to Goa, but it lacks the thrill you’d expect.
The Plot: A Simple Cat-and-Mouse Game
The story’s straightforward. Sobhraj, called Carl Bhojraj here, slips out of Tihar Jail, fooling the police. They learn he’s in Mumbai, and Zende, played by Bajpayee, gets the job because he’s caught Sobhraj before. The hunt shifts to Goa, where Sobhraj’s living it up. That’s it. Directed by Chinmay Mandlekar, who also wrote it, this is his first film. He’s backed by producers Om Raut (Tanhaji, Adipurush) and Jay Shewakramani.
The cast includes Manoj Bajpayee, Jim Sarbh, Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak, and others. The vibe is light and comedic, despite the serious crime story. But that’s where it falls short. The humour and crime don’t blend well. The script lacks sharpness, and the execution feels weak. You watch it, you finish it, but it doesn’t grip you. It’s like a quick snack—satisfying for a moment, then forgotten.
Why It’s Just Average
What keeps you going? Manoj Bajpayee. He’s the heart of Inspector Zende, playing Zende with grit and warmth. But even he’s not as powerful as in his past roles like Gangs of Wasseypur. Jim Sarbh’s Sobhraj feels more like a caricature than a cunning criminal, which dulls the tension. The chase should be the film’s pulse, but it feels like Sobhraj’s just messing around, and Zende’s win seems more like luck than skill.
Mumbai’s streets and Goa’s beaches look decent on screen. A few family scenes between Bajpayee and Oak add a sweet touch, but they’re too brief. The supporting cast is okay but doesn’t stand out. The big miss? The film doesn’t capture Zende’s real-life effort. He caught Sobhraj with smarts and hard work, not by chance. Better research could’ve made this a gripping thriller. Instead, it’s average—a one-time watch that doesn’t stay with you.
Could It Have Been More?
The real Zende-Sobhraj chase was intense, a true battle of wits. But in Inspector Zende, it feels flat. The film doesn’t dig into Zende’s clever police work or Sobhraj’s manipulative genius. It’s like they rushed to release it without polishing the story. Bajpayee tries to carry it, but the script doesn’t give him enough. Sarbh’s character needed more depth to feel like the dangerous criminal he was. If the makers had done more research, this could’ve been a standout crime drama. Instead, it’s just okay.
What Else Is Out There?
If Inspector Zende doesn’t hook you, there’s more to stream. Starting today, Prime Video has Do You Wanna Partner, a web series with Tamannaah Bhatia, Diana Penty, Javed Jafferi, and others. Netflix offers The Wrong Paris, an American rom-com with Miranda Cosgrove, and Saiyara, a romantic film with newcomers Ahaan Pandey and Anit Padda, directed by Mohit Suri. Also, Aryan Khan’s debut series The Beds of Bollywood hits Netflix on September 19, with Bobby Deol, Lakshya, and more. Plenty to keep you entertained!
So, give Inspector Zende a shot if you’re curious—it’s fine for a lazy evening. But it’s not a must-watch. What do you think—worth your time or overhyped? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
