Inspector Zende review: Manoj Bajpayee’s wit meets Jim Sarbh’s menace in engaging crime drama

Rating: 3/4

Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Jim Sarbh, Girja Orak, Sachin Khedekar, and Bhau Kadam

Also Read

Inspector Zende: Release date, trailer and more about Manoj Bajpayee-Jim Sarbh film

OTT releases of the week [September 1-September 7]: Bigg Boss Telugu 9, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan and more

Best Indian cop dramas to watch on OTT before Inspector Zende: Asur, The Family Man and more

Director: Chinmay Mandlekar

New Delhi: Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh’s latest Netflix offering, Inspector Zende is “inspired from true story but seems like a fairytale”, words that set the stage for the movie. The opening note sets the tone for the film that perfectly captures what director Chinmay Mandlekar attempts to deliver. The cat-and-mouse cop drama is a blend of reality and dramatization that feels both authentic and entertaining.

At the core of the narrative is the film inspired by real-life escapades of Carl Bhojraj, the notorious bikini killer, also known as the serpent, and his dramatic capture by Mumbai-based cop, Madhukar Zende. But this not a serious drama but Manoj Bajpayee transforms a dark story of deception and crime into a cinematic chase filled with witty banter, comedic touches and edge-of-the-seat drama.

The film, Inspector Zende, kicks off in Tihar Jail, where Carl Bhojraj, played with slick brilliance by Jim Sarbh, stages a daring escape. From Delhi, he makes his way to Mumbai and Goa, plotting his eventual getaway to the United States, where his wife awaits him. But standing as a big hurdle in his path is Inspector Zende, played by Manoj Bajpayee, who refuses to let the criminal slip away.

What unfolds is a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across cities as Bhojraj charms his way through high society and constantly manages to stay one step ahead of the law. Meanwhile, Inspector Zende and his team, on a secret mission to catch him, assumes multiple disguises, sets traps, devises plans and uses his wit and intuition to track down the serpent.

It ensures that viewers don’t feel weighed down by the darker elements of the story, such as burning a woman alive or killing a man to attain his passport.

The screenplay deserves a special credit for blending reality with dramatization so efficiently that it makes you laugh and even surprises you at how the murders are committed. While the real Charles Sobhraj’s story is grim, Inspector Zende avoids diving too deep into gory details. Instead it stylises the chase and keeps the pace brisk. The dialogues, especially written for Manoj Bajpayee’s character, sparkle with wit and humour. While Carl’s manipulations maintains the suspense, Zende’s steady pursuit keeps the story grounded.

Meanwhile, the direction, opts for a stylish approach. The film avoids becoming too dark, instead embracing a slightly flamboyant, fairytale-like narrative style. The ca-and-mouse sequences in five-star hotels, and Goa’s locations are visually captivating.

It is hardly a surprise that Manoj Bajpayee yet again delivers a performance that anchors the movie, As Inspector Zende, he brings effortless blend of seriousness and humour. His comic timings are impeccable, ensuring the film never loses its light-hearted flavour even when the tension escalates. His ability to switch between a no-nonsense officer and a witty stands out in the narrative.

If Bajpayee is the heart of the film, Jim Sarbh is its soul. Known for choosing complex roles, Sarbh excels as Carl Bhojraj. With his trademark charm, slickness, and unsettling calmness, Sarbh makes Bhojraj magnetic and menacing. The chemistry between Bajpayee and Sarbh is electrifying. Each time Zende and Bhojraj face off, the screen crackles, and their dynamic is the backbone of the film.

Add TV9 English As A Trusted Source

Inspector Zende is not a documentary, nor a grim retelling of Charles Sobhraj’s crimes. It is a stylishly crafted crime drama that entertains, thrills and amuses in equal measures. The climax will make you crackle as Inspector Zende and Bhojraj have a final showdown, with the latter continuing plotting to escape and in the midst of all this is Goa Police, who makes sure that credit of catching the most-wanted criminal goes to them without even trying to do their job.

For those looking for a gripping yet light weekend watch, Inspector Zende delivers on all front. It may not delve into darker elements but is a stylish, witty, and thrilling entertainer.