Netflix’s *Inspector Zende*, featuring Manoj Bajpayee, has been released, immediately drawing viewers’ attention. The movie depicts the gripping chase between the Mumbai Police and a serial killer, based on the true story of Charles Sobhraj, infamous as the Bikini Killer. The public is now curious about the present-day lives of Charles Sobhraj and Inspector Madhukar Zende, and the authenticity of the events portrayed in the film.
Charles Sobhraj, born in Saigon in 1944 to an Indian father and a Vietnamese mother, was known as ‘The Serpent,’ ‘Bikini Killer,’ and ‘Splitting Killer.’ He is said to have murdered over 20 tourists across South and Southeast Asia. He was incarcerated in India from 1976 to 1997 and later returned to France. In 2003, he was given a life sentence in Nepal, from which he was released due to old age after serving 19 years.
Inspector Zende’s involvement was renewed when he learned of Sobhraj’s presence in Goa. Zende and his team quietly followed Sobhraj to the popular O’Coquiro restaurant, a place where Sobhraj frequently contacted his wife. The team’s secret operation was successful, leading to Zende’s arrest of Sobhraj for the second time. This moment brought him widespread fame in India, earning recognition from figures like Rajiv Gandhi and Dilip Kumar. Today, Inspector Madhukar Zende, now 88, is still celebrated for his dual captures of Sobhraj. His story has been told in books, TV shows, and now on Netflix’s *Inspector Zende*, where he is seen shaking hands with Manoj Bajpayee in the final scene.
The Netflix film stars Manoj Bajpayee as Inspector Zende and Jim Sarbh as Charles Sobhraj, with Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak, Harish Dudhde, Omkar Raut, Vaibhav Mangle, and Bhalchandra Kadam also in prominent roles. Manoj Bajpayee shared that he was drawn to the role because: “What fascinated me about Inspector Zende was that he wasn’t chasing glory. He was just doing his job, yet caught one of the most notorious criminals twice. His bravery, humour, and that unmistakable Mumbai flavour make his journey truly inspiring. Meeting him felt like stepping into a storybook, with a lifetime of tales to tell. Playing him let me dive into a world that’s as gritty as it is entertaining. The trailer is only a glimpse, the film takes you right into the heart of it. I’m glad his story is finally getting the spotlight it deserves, and that too globally on Netflix.”
