The Chase Is On: Inspector Zende, Coming Soon On Netflix
In the winding gullies of 1970s and ’80s Mumbai, when the notorious Swimsuit Killer escapes from Tihar Jail, a determined police officer is tasked with hunting him down at all costs.
Loosely inspired by true events, Netflix’s latest crime drama, Inspector Zende, is a riveting tale of grit, instinct, and relentless justice. Premiering September 5, this is the story of a hero who dared to outsmart a master manipulator, not once, but twice.
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Directed and written by Chinmay D. Mandlekar, and produced by Jay Shewakramani and Om Raut, the film stars the incomparable Manoj Bajpayee as Inspector Madhukar Zende, and Jim Sarbh as the suave and sinister Carl Bhojraj, infamously known as the Swimsuit Killer. The ensemble also features Bhalchandra Kadam, Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak, and Harish Dudhade in key roles.
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Set against the nostalgic backdrop of Mumbai’s pre-digital era, Inspector Zende blends crime, comedy, and retro flair — a time when gut instinct trumped gadgets, and relentless pursuit was a cop’s greatest tool.
Producer Om Raut shared that Inspector Zende is more than just a gripping chase; it’s a personal passion project. He revealed that it was his father’s dream to make a film on Inspector Zende, and bringing it to life with Netflix has been an emotional and fulfilling journey. For Raut, this story is meant to be seen, remembered, and celebrated — an inspiring tale as entertaining as it is impactful.
Producer Jay Shewakramani emphasised that Netflix was the ideal home for a story like this — distinct, character-driven, and rooted in Indian culture. He expressed excitement about introducing global audiences to Inspector Zende, an unlikely hero whose legacy deserves the spotlight.
Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films at Netflix India, said that Inspector Zende flips the classic cop-versus-criminal narrative with a clever blend of humour and grit.
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She praised Chinmay D. Mandlekar’s grounded storytelling in his Hindi directorial debut and highlighted the film’s powerful performances by Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh. She added that Netflix remains committed to championing stories of real Indian heroes — those that carry heart, humour, and cultural depth.
Inspector Zende is a salute to old-school sleuthing and jugaadu justice — the story of an ordinary man who cracked an extraordinary case.
