Netflixhas set the release date for its new crime film,Inspector Zende. Based on the exploits of the real-life police officerMadhukar Zende, who worked in Mumbai, India, in the 1970s and 1980s, thefilm will be released on the streamer on September 5. It’s based on the manhunt forthe notorious serial killerCharles Sobhraj, who escaped from prison in New Delhi by throwing a large party and drugging the guards' food. The film stars the acclaimedBollywoodactorManoj Bajpayeein the lead role, withJim Sarbhplaying a version of Sobhraj. The murderer has been named Carl Bhojraj in the film, with his alias being altered from “the Bikini Killer” to “the Swimsuit Killer.”
Directed byChinmay D. Mandlekar, the film also featuresBhalchandra Kadam,Sachin Khedekar,Girija Oak, andHarish Dudhade. The film is produced byOm Raut, marking his first major project following the critical and commercial failure of his mythological epic,Adipurush, which remains one of the most expensive Indian movies ever made.Inspector Zendeis described by Netflix as a “tale of an ordinary man who cracked an extraordinary case.” Considering how instrumental the real-life Zende was in bringing law and order to a Mumbai city overrun by the mafia during the 1970s and 1980s,Netflix could have a franchise on its hands. Bajpayee is synonymous with the crime genre, having broken out with the ’90s classicSatya. He is now best known for his starring role inPrime Video’s spy-comedy seriesThe Family Man, which is set to return for a third season shortly.
Charles Sobhraj’s Spree Has Inspired Several Films and Shows
Bajpayee last worked with Netflix on the dark comedy seriesKiller Soup. Sarbh, on the other hand, earned an International Emmy nomination for his performance in the showRocket Boys, based on the founders of India’s space program. Incidentally, Netflix itself released another show that features Sobhraj earlier this year. TitledBlack Warrant, the show was set inside the prison facility that Sobhraj escaped from. He was played rather charismatically in the series bySiddhant Gupta. Sobhraj was also the subject of the BBC One and Netflix co-productionThe Serpent,in which he was played by the French actorTahar Rahim. Before that, Indian actorRandeep Hooda— you might remember him as the Terminator-esque villain fromChris Hemsworth’sExtraction— played the notorious killer in a film titledMain Aur Charles(Charles and I).
Inspector Zendewill debut on Netflix on September 5. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
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