 "Why Manoj Bajpayee calls Netflix's Inspector Zende his most enjoyable cop role yet")
Netflix’s latest release, Inspector Zende, is winning hearts across audiences and critics alike. The quirky crime drama has struck the right balance of humor and seriousness, making it a perfect entertainer for families. At the center of all the love is Manoj Bajpayee, whose performance as Inspector Zende has been unanimously praised, with many calling it one of his most enjoyable and memorable roles in recent years.
Manoj Bajpayee has donned the khaki several times in his illustrious 30-year career, playing everything from hardened cops to complex gangsters and layered mentors. Yet, his latest outing in Netflix’s Inspector Zende has left him with a sense of joy and fulfillment unlike any other role in recent memory. For Manoj, what makes a role memorable isn’t the uniform, but the person beneath it.
Reflecting on his playing the role of Inspector Zende, he shares, “In the career spanning 30 years, you know, I have played many policemen, many gangsters, many good guys, many teachers, professors. But, you know, in the end, it boils down to the person that you are playing, not the uniform. But this person, Inspector Zende, I have never played before, it is a character very unlike who I am. I’m a quieter person off the set.I like to do my own thing. I like to read, I like to see authentic, credible news and form my own analysis of the world. But, I have enjoyed playing the role of Inspector Zende, so much, because there is a certain kind of humor, a certain kind of quirkiness, and energy that the director wanted me to bring into the character”
He further shares, “Being in the zone of Zende was my primary concern. Just when we were about to wrap up the film, I actually started feeling bad that this was coming to an end, because it was Zende all over his mindset all over me. But the memories are something that always travel with you. You can be 105, 110 films old, but if the memories were fantastic, that is how you’ll always remember a particular film.”
It’s this blend of humor, eccentricity, and freshness that not only made Inspector Zende stand out for audiences, but also for Bajpayee himself. The actor, known for his powerful intensity, found a new rhythm in embracing the quirky energy that director Chinmay Mandlekar envisioned for the character.
With its quirky tone, heartfelt performances, and a fresh take on a familiar story, Inspector Zende has cemented itself as a film that entertains while staying memorable. For those yet to meet this unforgettable cop, Inspector Zende is now streaming on Netflix.