Movie Review
Manoj Bajpayee has outclassed in the movie Inspector Zende. He is chasing to arrest serial killer Charles Sobhraj. The plot is based on real-life inspector Madhukar Zande.
Inspector Zende comes across as a distant cousin of Manoj’s Srikant Tiwari from The Family Man, perhaps because the territory feels so familiar to him. The story follows the titular protagonist. He is on a mission to catch murderer Carl Bhojraj (obviously Charles Sobhraj). The pursuit unfolds as a quirky comedy.
The Plot
The film is written and directed by Chinmay Mandlekar. It plays out like a classic snake-and-mongoose battle. This is exactly how Zende himself frames it. The story is based on real-life cop Madhukar Zende. He caught Charles not once but twice. His story almost demanded a big-screen retelling. What might seem like cinematic exaggeration often is fact. Zende really did have two policemen sit on Charles during the train ride from Goa to Mumbai after his arrest!
The tone remains light. The squad of cops surrounding Manoj is as eccentric as he is, each with a quirk that marks them out. The gravity of Charles’s crimes never disappears. These crimes earned him the nickname Bikini Killer. However, the film lets humour stand front and center.
Also read: Ram Gopal Varma Unites With Manoj Bajpayee for Police Station Mein Bhoot
The film stumbles in its pacing. The constant chase eventually wears you down. After a point, you begin to wonder about the purpose of it all. The predictability does not help either, draining some of the energy from an otherwise lively setup.
Stellar Performances
In the performance department, Manoj Bajpayee plays Zende with his trademark conviction, blending charm into the role. Jim Sarbh looks every bit the suave Carl and nails the accent, bringing a touch of menace beneath the polish. Bhalchandra Kasam fits the role of Zende’s sidekick with ease. Sachin Khedekar has a smaller part but leaves the right impression.
Inspector Zende is engaging in parts. Manoj Bajpayee’s steady presence lifts the experience. The cast rises to the occasion. Yet the repetition in storytelling keeps it from reaching the heights its premise promised. This is a serviceable thriller with a humorous streak, more enjoyable for its performances than its plot.
Manoj Bajpayee’s Best Police Officer Roles Before Inspector Zende
Satyameva Jayate: Manoj Bajpayee and John Abraham play two different kinds of cops in the 2018 film. Virendra Rathod (John Abraham) kills a corrupt police officer in the film. Manoj, an honest cop looks for Virendra after the body count rises.
Special 26: The actor plays the role of an upright CBI officer Waseem Khan. The film also features Akshay Kumar.
Shool: He played Inspector Samar who bears the brunt for his exceptional honesty. The film won a National Award in 1999 for Best Feature Film in the Hindi category
Silence…Can You Hear It?: In this crime thriller, Manoj Bajpayee plays the role of ACP Avinash Verma. He and his team investigate a high-profile murder.
Dial 100: He plays a Senior Police Officer, Nikhil Sood, in the film. He connected the dots in a race against time to rescue a woman who has threatened to commit suicide.
Baaghi 2: The actor essays the role of DIG Ajay Shergill. He plays an officer of law with negative shades.
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