Inspector Zende (2025) – A Quirky Crime Chase with Bajpayee’s Steely Grit

Inspector Zende is a 2025 Hindi-language comedy thriller streaming on Netflix, directed and written by Chinmay Mandlekar. The film retells, with creative loyalty and tone, the extraordinary exploits of Inspector Madhukar Zende, the Mumbai police officer famed for capturing serial killer Charles Sobhraj (renamed here as Carl Bhojraj) twice.

The film premiered on 5 September 2025 exclusively on Netflix.

With a runtime of 112 minutes, Inspector Zende tries to fuse satire, crime drama, and procedural cat-and-mouse tropes into a single entertaining package.

Cast & Crew

Key Credits

• Director / Writer: Chinmay Mandlekar
• Producers: Jay Shewakramani and Om Raut
• Cinematography: Vishal Sinha
• Editing: Meghna Manchanda Sen
• Music: Sanket Sane
• Studio / Distributor: Northern Lights Films; Netflix

Main Cast

• Manoj Bajpayee as Inspector Madhukar Zende
• Jim Sarbh as Carl Bhojraj (fictionalized version of Charles Sobhraj)
• Sachin Khedekar as DGP Chandrakant Purandhare
• Girija Oak as Vijaya Zende, the inspector’s wife
• Supporting cast includes Bhalchandra Kadam, Harish Dudhade, Vaibhav Mangale, Onkar Raut, Bharat Savale, Devaang Bagga

Plot & Narrative Structure

The premise is dramatic yet grounded in reality: Carl Bhojraj, a criminal modeled loosely after Charles Sobhraj, escapes from prison and returns to Mumbai, prompting Inspector Zende to reinitiate a manhunt.

The narrative revisits Zende’s earlier capture of Carl years before, his escape, and subsequent investigation. The film traverses Mumbai and Goa in a chase that mixes procedural tactics with personal stakes.

While the film deals with serious crime, it infuses comic undertones, moments of satire, and lighter touches—attempting to balance tension and whimsy.

The film is paced episodically: investigation, pursuit, setbacks, close calls, and the emotional weight of duty. It doesn’t aim to be a fully dark crime drama but a crime comedy with serious roots.

Tone, Themes, & Stylistic Choices

Tone
One of the film’s distinguishing traits is its tonal mix. It attempts to treat the serious story with levity, even humor, sometimes veering close to parody. Critics note that the tone is uneven—works better in parts, falters in others.

Themes

• Justice vs. Charisma: Carl Bhojraj is charming, slippery—Zende must match wits rather than purely muscle.
• Reputation & Legacy: Zende’s earlier capture, Carl’s past, and how history colors present pursuit.
• Morality & Absurdity: When criminals are audacious, law enforcement must walk a fine line—satire helps underline that absurdity.
• Duty & Compromise: Zende is shown as a human cop with limitations, not a flawless hero.

Style & Visuals
Cinematography by Vishal Sinha and editing by Meghna Manchanda Sen attempt to evoke the late 20th century Mumbai crime milieu—muted palette, street detail, shadowy alleys.

The film’s promotional materials emphasize the cat-and-mouse tension between Zende and Carl, with poster taglines like “Interpol’s most wanted meets Mumbai’s most unstoppable.”

Critical Reception & Audience Response

Rotten Tomatoes & Ratings

On Rotten Tomatoes, Inspector Zende holds a 64% Tomatometer (14 critic reviews) — a middling but not negative consensus. The site notes it is a crime comedy where Carl Bhojraj escapes prison and Zende pursues him in Mumbai.

IMDb lists a score of 5.7/10 from over 102,000 ratings.

Positive Notes

• Manoj Bajpayee’s performance is widely praised as the stabilizing core; his portrayal of Zende makes the film watchable even when the script lags.
• The ensemble supporting cast, including Bhau Kadam, adds charm and depth to the more comedic or mundane sequences.
• Some reviewers appreciated the film’s attempt to keep a lighter tone without trivializing crime. NDTV says the film “tickles you every now and then” while handling serious events.

Criticisms & Weaknesses

• The most common criticism is uneven tone — the mix of crime seriousness and comedic whimsy doesn’t always land smoothly.
• The script is sometimes described as patchy, with plotting that seems to rely on patterns rather than wholly earned character arcs.
• Some performances are described as underused—Jim Sarbh’s Carl, for instance, is seen by some as an under-realized antagonist.
• Rediff calls it “forgettable” and states the film settles for formulaic fun rather than something bold.

Verdicts

• Mathrubhumi gives it 2.5/5, labeling it a one-time watch mainly for Bajpayee’s performance.
• Indian Express rates it 2/5 citing mismatch in tone.
• Koimoi praises it as “definitely yes,” hailing the fun vibe and chemistry between leads.
• OTTplay laments that it “loses the aspiration mid-way,” noting that ambition overshadows execution.

The general consensus: Inspector Zende is an ambitious, imperfect film with strong performances and a fun core but inconsistent writing.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

Inspector Zende (2025) is an ambitious film that treads the line between crime drama and comedy. Its foundation in real events gives it gravitas, but its creative tone leans lighthearted, which sometimes clashes with the darker material.

The film’s strongest asset is Manoj Bajpayee, whose composed portrayal of Zende navigates the film’s tonal shifts and keeps the audience invested. Jim Sarbh provides charisma as Carl Bhojraj, though his character undercuts greatness by limited screenwriting support. The supporting cast, including Bhau Kadam and Harish Dudhade, add memorable color to scenes.

However, the film’s uneven tone, script weaknesses, and moments of superficial plotting prevent it from becoming a classic. For viewers who enjoy crime thrillers with a twist of satire, it offers entertainment. But those seeking tight, dark procedural storytelling may be left wanting.

Watch Inspector Zende on YoMovies

To enjoy this crime-comedy cat-and-mouse saga with Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh, stream Inspector Zende (2025) on YoMovies in HD.

FAQs