Inspector Zende Review: Manoj Bajpayee’s face has the power to make you believe the impossible, if Helen of Troy’s was the face that launched a thousand ships. He’ll convince you that aliens are operating the neighborhood paan shop if you give him a screenplay, and you’ll still be the first to test it.

Perhaps since the area feels so familiar to him, Inspector Zende appears to be a distant cousin of Manoj Srikant Tiwari from The Family Man. The narrative centers on the title character’s quest to apprehend murderer Carl Bhojraj (clearly Charles Sobhraj), which plays out as a peculiar comedy.

Zende frames the picture, written and directed by Chinmay Mandlekar, as a typical snake-and-mongoose duel. The story is based on Madhukar Zende, the police officer who nabbed Charles twice and almost deserved a big-screen adaptation. What seems like cinematic exaggeration often turns out to be reality. After Charles’ arrest, Zende actually had two policemen sit on him during the train ride from Goa to Mumbai.

The tone still stays light. Every member of Manoj’s police team carries a quirk, making them as unique as he is. The seriousness of Charles’s crimes, which earned him the title ‘Bikini Killer,’ never fades. Yet the film keeps humor as a major theme. The pacing, however, falters. After a while, the endless pursuit wears you down, and you begin to question the point of it. The predictability further weakens the arrangement, draining some of its energy.

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Cast Acting Review: 

In terms of acting, Manoj Bajpayee portrays Zende with his signature conviction, incorporating charm into the part. Jim Sarbh looks just as dapper as Carl and has a flawless accent, adding a hint of menace underneath the gloss. Though in a tiny role, Sachin Khedekar makes a good impact, and Bhalchandra Kasam effortlessly plays Zende’s sidekick.

Overall, Manoj Bajpayee’s consistent presence and a talented ensemble make Inspector Zende a compelling watch in certain moments. However, the storytelling’s repetition prevents it from realizing the full potential of its subject. With a rating of three stars, this is a passable thriller with a hint of humor that is more entertaining for the acting than the story.

Inspector Zende Movie Review Rating:

⦿ Director: Chinmay Mandlekar

⦿ Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Jim Sarbh, Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak, Bhalchandra Kadam

⦿ Rating: 2.5/5

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