*Inspector Zende*, the Netflix film starring Manoj Bajpayee, has captured viewers’ attention. It tells the story of the Mumbai Police’s pursuit of a serial killer, inspired by the real-life criminal, Charles Sobhraj, also known as the Bikini Killer. With the film’s release, many are keen to know the current statuses of Charles Sobhraj and Inspector Madhukar Zende, and the accuracy of the events portrayed on screen.
Charles Sobhraj, born in Saigon in 1944 to an Indian father and a Vietnamese mother, was known by the aliases ‘The Serpent,’ ‘Bikini Killer,’ and ‘Splitting Killer.’ He is accused of murdering over 20 tourists across South and Southeast Asia. He was imprisoned in India from 1976 to 1997 and later returned to France. In 2003, Sobhraj was sentenced to life imprisonment in Nepal and was eventually released from prison due to his age, after spending 19 years incarcerated.
The case was revived for Inspector Zende when he discovered Sobhraj’s whereabouts in Goa. Zende and his team covertly monitored Sobhraj, trailing him to the popular O’Coquiro restaurant, where Sobhraj often communicated with his wife. Their operation was successful, leading to Zende’s second arrest of Sobhraj. This action made Zende a national figure, and he received commendations from individuals such as Rajiv Gandhi and Dilip Kumar. At 88 years old, Inspector Madhukar Zende continues to be remembered for his double capture of Sobhraj. His story has been featured in books, television shows, and now, in Netflix’s *Inspector Zende*, where he appears in the final scene.
The Netflix film stars Manoj Bajpayee as Inspector Zende and Jim Sarbh as Charles Sobhraj, with supporting roles played by Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak, Harish Dudhde, Omkar Raut, Vaibhav Mangle, and Bhalchandra Kadam. Manoj Bajpayee shared his thoughts on playing the role: “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.”