Netflix India has released the trailer for Inspector Zende, the new true crime-based investigative thriller starring Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh. The film sees the former back in the OTT space after Killer Soup and The Family Man.
Directed by Chinmay Mandlekar, the film is set in the 1970s and 80s, and is said to be inspired by the cases of Madhukar Bapurao Zende, the real-life cop who apprehended Charles Sobhraj twice. Inspector Zende will explore Zende's attempts to nab Jim Sarbh's Sobhraj-inspired character Carl Bhojraj, aka 'The Swimsuit Killer', after the latter escapes from Tihar Jail. Sobhraj was nicknamed 'The Bikini Killer'. Recently, he was portrayed by Sidhant Gupta in Netflix's Black Warrant, helmed by Vikramaditya Motwane.
The film, which marks the Hindi directorial debut of Chinmay D Mandlekar (also screenwriter), will begin streaming on the platform on September 5. Other cast members include Bhalchandra Kadam, Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak and Harish Dudhade.
Jay Shewakramani and Tanhaji director Om Raut are the film's producers under the banner of Northern Lights Films.
"'Inspector Zende's' story is one that deserves to be seen, remembered and celebrated. A gripping chase that's as entertaining as it is inspiring, and most essentially, it was my father's dream to make a film on 'Inspector Zende'. Bringing this film to life with Netflix has been an incredible journey," said Raut, in an earlier statement.
Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, director of Original Films at Netflix India, added that the film puts a fresh spin on the conventional cop-versus-criminal narrative. "'Inspector Zende' flips the classic formula by deftly blending comedy and crime to deliver something truly unexpected. At Netflix, we're continually drawn to stories that celebrate heartland heroes and victories woven into our cultural fabric."
Meanwhile, Bajpayee has the third season of The Family Man coming up next. The Raj & DK-created series will see the return of Priyamani. It will introduce Paatal Lok actor Jaideep Ahlawat as the antagonist.
