Inspector Zende (2025) Review!!

Synopsis – After escaping prison, serial killer Carl Bhojraj returns to Mumbai, where Inspector Zende pursues him to capture the elusive criminal again.

My Take – Over the years, Charles “Bikini Killer” Sobhraj has managed to be the subject of quite some features, most popularly 2015’s Randeep Hooda starrer Main Aur Charles, and found his story expanded in the eight-part BBC-commissioned miniseries called ‘The Serpent’, which found quite popularity on Netflix. Most recently, he also appeared as a supporting character in filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane’s fantastic Netflix series, Black Warrant.

However, Netflix‘s latest go at him has a different approach in mind. Mainly as the focus of the feature is not the French serial killer, fraudster, and thief, but rather the police officer, Inspector Madhukar B. Zende, who captured him not once, but twice.

Helmed by debutante writer-director Chinmay Mandlekar, the fictional re-telling dives into the riveting world of true crime with a refreshing twist, spotlighting the life of an unsung hero who relentlessly pursued one of the sharpest manipulators of his time, following his break out from Tihar Jail. But most surprisingly, the narrative takes a feather light approach to tell its story, swapping swagger for wit and chaos for charm, with Manoj Bajpayee in the titular role breathing authenticity into every frame.

Sure, the storytelling is flawed at certain junctures, yet, it manages to keep viewers engaged by seamlessly blending crime, suspense, and humor, without ever losing its emotional resonance. Mainly, in the end, the film is not just about a thrilling pursuit—it’s about celebrating an unsung hero who deserves his moment in the spotlight.

Set in 1986, the story follows Mumbai Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende (Manoj Bajpayee), a family man with a strong sense of obligation, who is going on with his life as it comes, that until he hears on the news that infamous serial killer, Carl Bhojraj (Jim Sarbh) has escaped from Tihar Jail, along with four other inmates. Duty bound, he decides to skip his homely duties, even at the risk of angering his wife, Vijaya (Girija Oak), whom he fondly calls Commissioner, and heads to his police station.

Determined that he will get “the call,” particularly considering he had caught the killer in Mumbai 15 years ago, and believes that he will be up for the job one more time. But when the call finally comes in, the Snake turns out to be much slippery than before. Mainly, as this time around, Carl has improved his methods of evasion and switched his modus operandi.

Thus beginning a frustrating mission that takes Zende and his trusted team of expert officers from Mumbai to all the way to Goa. All the while dealing with pressures from his senior DGP Chandrakant Purandhare (Sachin Khedekar), ministers and other law enforcement agencies. What unfolds is a gripping but light-hearted tribute to grit and determination.

Here, director Mandelkar crafts the narrative with the right balance of suspense and sharp writing, ensuring the audience is always a step behind the action, much like the criminal mastermind being tracked. He also takes the gamble of mixing crime with comedy, and it pays off more often than not.

Even when Zende and his team fumble their way through undercover missions, or when the cops stretch their meager resources to catch a cunning criminal, the comedy never feels forced as it doesn’t mine humor through slapstick, but through awkward pauses, small errors, and the sheer absurdity of human behavior.

Even the much-awaited confrontation in a Goan nightclub doesn’t explode into a brutal showdown but instead unfolds like an odd dance. Each punch and push feels almost choreographed, and at one point, the scene looks like a bizarre tango between cop and criminal. It is thrilling, absurd, and funny all at once, precisely the tonal mix the film is reaching for. While also, reflecting the reality of policing in that period, messy, flawed, but somehow effective.

The nostalgic 80s-90s backdrop, recreated with striking detail, adds another layer of charm, reminding viewers of an era before modern technology made crime-solving easier. Some of the film’s best moments arrive in the form of Zende’s scenes with his wife, something which add depth to his character.

Yes, the humor, while refreshing, doesn’t always land consistently. Some stretches feel slightly dragged out, and the narrative occasionally loses steam in the middle. The music too never quite rises to the occasion, serviceable rather than memorable.

But despite its uneven patches, the film never loses its hold, particularly due to its performances. Manoj Bajpayee brings his trademark intensity and subtle wit to the titular role. Bajpayee has an unmatched gift for turning ordinary men into compelling characters, and here he does it with deadpan humor and quiet grit. Jim Sarbh perfectly embodies the calculating, layered antagonist, making their face-offs both cerebral and thrilling.

Girija Oak adds warmth and heart to the proceedings, her tender worries about her husband grounds the film in simplicity. The supporting cast, which comprises of Sachin Khedekar, Bhalchandra Kadam, Harish Dudhade, Onkar Raut, Bharat Savale and Nitin Bhajan, add their own charm and layers to the film. On the whole, ‘Inspector Zende‘ is a light-hearted yet gripping chase thriller that remains throughout entertaining.