 "Real vs Reel | Manoj Bajpayee & Netflix ‘Inspector Zende’: Meet Madhukar Bapurao Zende known for hunting the notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj")
The real-life Mumbai Police officer Madhukar Zende, who is portrayed in the upcoming Netflix film Inspector Zende, streaming from September 5, 2025.
Zende was an ACP known for hunting criminals, especially the notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj, whom he famously arrested twice. The film, starring Manoj Bajpayee, is loosely based on Zende’s career and chronicles his relentless pursuit of the ‘Swimsuit Killer’.
He was known for arresting big dons like Haji Mastan and Karim Lala. According to reports, Zende was the first and only officer in the history of the Mumbai Police to receive both the Police Medal for Meritorious Service and the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service in consecutive years.
The real Inspector Zende’s career graph
According to India Today report, Zende, who served in the police force for nearly three decades, became a household name after his arrest of Sobhraj, also known as ‘_The Serpen_t’ for his ability to slip through legal systems across the world. Sobhraj was wanted in several countries for a string of robberies, fraud, and serial murders. In a recent interview he mentioned that he first met Sobhraj, who had arrived in Mumbai in 1971 with a group of men, planning a major robbery.
About Manoj Bajpayee starrer Netflix’s ‘Inspector Zende’
Netflix’s Inspector Zende trailer: Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh starrer promises to be an epic cat-and-mouse chase thriller. The trailer teases a quirky, nostalgia-filled, relentless chase that celebrates a hero whose story deserves to be told.
Manoj Bajpayee leads as the sharp-witted Zende, locked in a tense game of cat and mouse with Jim Sarbh’s charming yet elusive Carl Bhojraj. Joined by veterans Sachin Khedekar and Bhalchandra Kadam, Harish Dudhade, Onkar Raut, Bharat Savale, Nitin Bhajan as Zende’s trusted team, Girija Oak and Vaibhav Mangale in pivotal roles, their camaraderie and witty banter keep the pursuit as entertaining as it is intense. The high-stakes hunt races through cities and culminates in Goa, where sharp instincts and seamless teamwork lead to Carl’s dramatic capture.
What Manoj Bajpayee had to say about his role?
Talking about his experience, Manoj Bajpayee shares, “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 make 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.”
WATCH the trailer of Manoj Bajpayee starrer Netflix’ ‘Inspector Zende’ here:
(With added inputs from agencies)
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