Netflix Unveils Trailer of Manoj Bajpayee’s Crime Drama Inspector Zende, Streaming from Sept 5

Before the rise of CCTV surveillance and advanced cyber forensics, Mumbai depended on clever, instinct-driven officers like Inspector Madhukar Zende.

Known for his sharp wit and unconventional methods, Zende cracked cases that seemed impossible through sheer determination and street-smart thinking.

Netflix’s upcoming film Inspector Zende, starring Manoj Bajpayee, pays tribute to this legendary cop. The trailer of the film was unveiled on Monday, August 25.

A Tale of Tenacity and Chase

The film is inspired by true events and focuses on Zende’s relentless pursuit of the elusive ‘Swimsuit Killer’, Carl Bhojraj — a character loosely based on Charles Sobhraj. Zende managed to capture him not once, but twice.

The trailer highlights a nostalgic, quirky, and high-stakes chase, bringing to life the story of an unsung hero whose achievements deserved recognition.

Manoj Bajpayee plays Inspector Zende, while Jim Sarbh portrays the suave yet dangerous Carl Bhojraj. Supporting cast members include Sachin Khedekar, Bhalchandra Kadam, Harish Dudhade, Onkar Raut, Bharat Savale, and Nitin Bhajan as Zende’s trusted team.

Girija Oak and Vaibhav Mangale also play significant roles that add richness to the story.

The Journey Across Cities

The film promises camaraderie, tense confrontations, and humour as it traces Zende’s determined pursuit across cities, eventually reaching Goa.

It was here that teamwork and instinct combined to lead to Carl’s dramatic capture. More than a thrilling story, the film is also a heartfelt tribute to a cop whose contributions turned him into a legend.

Speaking about his role, Manoj Bajpayee said, “What fascinated me about Inspector Zende was that he wasn’t chasing glory — he was just doing his job, yet caught one of the most notorious criminals twice. His bravery, humour, and that unmistakable Mumbai flavour make his journey truly inspiring.

Meeting him felt like stepping into a storybook, with a lifetime of tales to tell. Playing him let me dive into a world that’s as gritty as it is entertaining. The trailer is only a glimpse — the film takes you right into the heart of it. I’m glad his story is finally getting the spotlight it deserves, and that too globally on Netflix.”

A Director’s Perspective

Director Chinmay D Mandlekar explained, “Inspector Zende’s real-life chase had all the ingredients of a gripping film: a larger-than-life cop, a slippery antagonist, and an unforgettable era of Mumbai. But what really stayed with me was the camaraderie, the small moments, and the quirks of the people involved. The trailer hints at the chase, but the film lets you live every beat of it. I can’t wait for audiences to experience it on Netflix.”

The makers summed it up: “Two escapes. One relentless hero cop. And an untold chase that rewrote crime history. This September, the Swimsuit Killer meets his match twice over.”

The film streams globally on Netflix from September 5.

First Encounter: 1971 Arrest

In 1971, Zende was posted at Gamdevi police station when a petty thief, Ajay Parekh, tipped him off that Sobhraj and his associates planned a heist at the New India Assurance building in South Mumbai, which handled large daily cash inflows. Only a month earlier, Sobhraj had duped a Delhi jeweller.

Zende recalled in an earlier interview that he and his team stayed at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace. “On November 11, 1971, Sobhraj came in wearing a suit. We caught him. We interrogated him for a long time. We found rifles and revolvers,” he said.

However, later that year, Sobhraj escaped during treatment for appendicitis by taking advantage of a blackout caused by the Indo-Pak war.

Second Capture: Goa 1986

Sobhraj was arrested again in 1976 and imprisoned in Tihar jail for 12 years. But in 1986, he managed to escape. With intelligence suggesting he was hiding in Goa, Zende was once again assigned to capture him.

On April 3, 1986, Zende reached Goa with a small police team.

Leads from a Mumbai hotel owner who had stored fake bike number plates and information from telephone exchanges in Goa pointed them toward O’Coqueiro, a popular Porvorim restaurant with an ISD connection that Sobhraj used to call his wife.

“I was confident that if I spent enough time at the restaurant, I would bump into Charles Sobhraj as he loved his food and women. I would sit by a table everyday acting like a tourist on a long holiday until the night of April 6,” Zende said.

On that night, two men arrived at the restaurant. Recognizing Sobhraj, Zende walked up, grabbed his arm, and said, “Hello Charles, how are you?” Though Sobhraj pulled out a revolver, the cops overpowered him quickly.

Since then, O’Coqueiro has become famous for more than its food, featuring a Sobhraj statue and even a Zende platter on its menu.

Beyond Sobhraj

Zende’s career extended far beyond the capture of Sobhraj. His book Mumbai’s Most Wanted recounts how he managed violent crowds after the Babri Masjid demolition and arrested smuggler Haji Mastan for assaulting a policeman.

Inspector Zende, written and directed by Chinmay Mandlekar, aims to portray these real-life exploits on screen. The ensemble cast features veterans and fresh faces, weaving together the story of a cop who embodied resilience and instinct.

The film premieres on September 5 on Netflix.