25 Aug 2025: Netflix has just dropped a quirky and captivating trailer for Inspector Zende, a comedy-thriller inspired by true events, releasing September 5. Manoj Bajpayee stars as Inspector Madhukar Zende, the gritty Mumbai policeman determined to catch the elusive “Swimsuit Killer,” Carl Bhojraj—played by Jim Sarbh (a playful nod to Charles Sobhraj).
Set in a pre-CCTV era, the trailer thrives on witty banter, Mumbai flavour, and nostalgic charm. We see Zende, backed by a tight-knit team, chasing the cunning criminal across cities before the chase climaxes in Goa .
What’s Striking:
- Performance & Chemistry: Bajpayee brings his trademark intensity tempered with humour, while Sarbh injects elegance and menace as the antagonist—making their dynamic the trailer’s stand-out element t.
- Tone & Style: A blend of suspense, dry humour, vintage cop-drama aesthetics, and team camaraderie delivers a fresh take on cop thrillers .
- True-Life Echoes: The storyline mirrors the real exploits of Inspector Zende—who notably arrested Charles Sobhraj twice, first in 1971 and again in Goa in 1986 following key clues such as a green motorcycle and the use of a specific restaurant’s phone booth .
Summary
Netflix’s Inspector Zende trailer unveils a gripping, quirky Mumbai cop thriller: Manoj Bajpayee hunts down Jim Sarbh’s “Carl Bhojraj” in a nostalgic, witty cat-an