News18 Hails ‘Inspector Zende’ as Gleeful Cop Caper

Lead News18 today published its review of Netflix’s Inspector Zende, praising Manoj Bajpayee’s deadpan wit and the film’s fresh comedic take on a classic cop-thriller premise.

Nut Graf Breaking from the larger-than-life Bollywood cop mold, Inspector Zende employs concise storytelling, sepia-tinted nostalgia and character-driven humour to deliver a tightly paced manhunt narrative that resonates with modern streaming audiences.

Review Highlights

• Rating: 3.5/5
• Tone: Wry, offbeat comedy interwoven with suspense
• Visuals: Sepia tint evokes 1970s-80s Mumbai authenticity
• Writing: Sharp, colloquial dialogue without contrived punchlines

Performance & Direction

• Manoj Bajpayee anchors the film with dry humour and unassuming authority, elevating every scene with subtle expressions and timing.
• Jim Sarbh delivers a charmingly menacing turn as fugitive Carl Bhojraj, matching Bajpayee’s energy in their cat-and-mouse chase.
• Director Chinmay Mandlekar balances suspense and comedy, avoiding superfluous subplots to maintain momentum throughout the 112-minute runtime.

Supporting Elements

• Production Design & Cinematography: Rajesh Choudhary and Vishal Sinha’s period detail and sepia palette enhance the film’s immersive retro feel.
• Supporting Cast: Bhalchandra Kadam’s impeccable comic timing and Girija Oak’s warm domestic scenes add emotional texture.

Inspector Zende streams now on Netflix and stands out as a refreshing departure from typical cop thrillers, offering both laughs and thrills in equal measure.