For the longest time, we’ve been served well-packaged and promoted films that fail to make a mark, but this one will leave you laughing and impressed. Written and directed by Chinmay Mandlekar and produced by Jay Shewakramani and Om Raut, Inspector Zende is a comedy thriller starring Manoj Bajpayee as Inspector Zende, who is out to catch Carl Bhojraj, played by Jim Sarbh. This film is the ultimate weekend watch that we all were hoping for. FYI, it’s currently streaming on Netflix!
The Plot of Inspector Zende
The film follows Inspector Zende (Manoj Bajpayee) as he goes on a hilarious but thrilling journey to catch a criminal who escaped from jail – Carl Bhojraj (Jim Sarbh). ICYMI, Carl’s character is inspired by the infamous swimsuit killer Charles Sobhraj. And it’s not the first time that this serial killer has escaped from jail. But guess what? This is also not the first time that Inspector Zende has caught him. Inspector Zende caught him 15 years ago, and that’s what turns him into Mumbai Police’s hope to catch this criminal. And this film promises a fun but suspicious ride!
Performances
Manoj Bajpayee as Inspector Madhukar Bapurao Zende: Manoj Bajpayee is a seasoned actor known to deliver unforgettable performances, and he’s gone and done it again, guys! He masters the art of dry humour and deadpan expressions. He not only cracks crime with wit, but he also has some truly out-of-the-box interrogation hacks that will probably put our mothers’ interrogation hacks to shame. His razor-sharp dialogue delivery and perfectly timed “tut-tut” will truly make you crack up.
Jim Sarbh as Carl Bhojraj aka Swimsuit Killer: NGL, Jim Sarbh just doesn’t seem to run out of charm even in the role of a serial killer. He brings suave elegance as Carl Bhojraj. He effortlessly eases into his role and looks every bit charming and equally compelling to watch. The man truly doesn’t fail to impress as the magnetic serial killer, escaping the cops with a layer of sophistication.
Verdict: This Manoj Bajpayee, Jim Sarbh Starrer Is The Ultimate Weekend Watch!
To begin with, what really works for the film is the amazing chemistry between Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh. TBH, their dance sequence is the proof of their chemistry, which was sizzling throughout the film. The supporting cast is just as stellar as the lead. Bhalachandra Kadam, Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak and others aren’t just side pieces in the film; they actually add value. Girija Oak as Inspector Zende’s wife just warms your heart. And while the chemistry between Manoj and Girija isn’t as sizzling as his chemistry with Jim, the couple just wins hearts. But the true star of this film isn’t an actor, it’s writer and director Chinmay Mandlekar. He used his impeccable writing to create a world that feels equally authentic and entertaining, with a crisp screenplay and direction that does justice to the screenplay. It’s no surprise that the film blends Bambiya flavour with punchy humour that is also clever and watchable. It’s the kind of weekend watch that will have you chuckling from the first scene until after the credits roll.
If you’re looking for a high-octane action or drama sequence, Inspector Zende isn’t the one for you. But it is a refreshing thriller comedy that doesn’t survive on ‘edge-of-your-seat, pulse-racing’ kind of thrill but rather one that thrives on suspense laced with wit, hilariously sharp dialogues and quirky characters with even better comic timing. That being said, the film has its flaws. Don’t be surprised if you find the stereotypical daily soap moments of when Inspector Zende manages to miss Carl Bhojraj by one tiny moment in spite of being in the same place. There are times when Manoj Bajpayee will remind you of The Family Man. The one thing that truly does stick out like a sore thumb is the lack of depth in Jim Sarbh’s Carl Bhojraj’s character. It makes one truly wish he had been written better with a character arc that seems to be missing, and even Jim’s charm can’t make one ignore that.
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This game of cat-and-mouse, or should I say snake and mongoose, may be flawed, but it’s engaging enough to make for a hilarious weekend watch with your family. Inspector Zende, starring Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh in lead roles, released on Netflix on September 5.