The trailer of Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh starrer Inspector Zende was unveiled by the makers on Monday. Loosely inspired by a true story of serial killer Charles Sobhraj being caught by Mumbai Police inspector Madhukar Zende, the film is written and directed by Chinmay Mandlekar. It also stars Sachin Khedekar, Bhalchandra Kadam, Harish Dudhade, Onkar Raut, Bharat Savale, Nitin Bhajan, Girija Oak and Vaibhav Mangale in pivotal roles.
The trailer gives a glimpse into the quirky world of the film where Manoj plays a street-smart cop, Inspector Zende who is called-in to catch the flamboyant and stylish swimsuit killer, Carl Bhojraj, who escapes from prison. Zende’s seniors depend on him as he had caught Carl fifteen years before as well. Along with his team of eccentric Mumbai policemen, Zende goes on the trail of ‘Interpol’s most wanted’ killer. The trailer is filled with some slapstick, comical moments between the team as they use quirky aliases in order to catch Carl and end up in high-stakes situations. The hunt races through cities and culminates in Goa as the trailer ends with Zende dramatically introducing himself as he stands firmly in front of his team.
Speaking about the character, Manoj said in a press release, “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 makes 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.”
Director Chinmay added, “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.”
Produced by Jay Shewakramani and Om Raut, Inspector Zende is set to be released on Netflix on September 5.
