The newly released Netflix film, *Inspector Zende*, starring Manoj Bajpayee, has garnered significant attention. The movie dramatizes the intense pursuit by the Mumbai Police of a serial killer, inspired by the real-life criminal Charles Sobhraj, also known as the Bikini Killer. Following the film’s release, public interest has surged regarding the current whereabouts of both Charles Sobhraj and Inspector Madhukar Zende, as well as the actual events that transpired.
Charles Sobhraj, born in Saigon in 1944 to an Indian father and a Vietnamese mother, earned monikers such as ‘The Serpent,’ ‘Bikini Killer,’ and ‘Splitting Killer.’ He is believed to have murdered over 20 tourists throughout South and Southeast Asia. Sobhraj was incarcerated in India from 1976 to 1997 and subsequently returned to France after his release. In 2003, he received a life sentence in Nepal and was later released due to his advanced age, after having served 19 years in prison.
The case resurfaced for Inspector Zende when he learned that Sobhraj was hiding in Goa. Zende and his team discreetly monitored him, tracking him to the popular O’Coquiro restaurant, where Sobhraj frequently contacted his wife. The team’s undercover operation proved successful, and Zende arrested Sobhraj a second time. This act catapulted him to fame across India, earning him accolades from figures such as Rajiv Gandhi and Dilip Kumar. Currently, Inspector Madhukar Zende, at 88 years old, remains a figure of public recognition for his double capture of Sobhraj. His story has been documented in various books, television programs, and now, in Netflix’s *Inspector Zende*, where he is depicted shaking hands with Manoj Bajpayee in the concluding scene.
The Netflix film features Manoj Bajpayee as Inspector Zende and Jim Sarbh as Charles Sobhraj, accompanied by Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak, Harish Dudhde, Omkar Raut, Vaibhav Mangle, and Bhalchandra Kadam in significant roles. Manoj Bajpayee shared his perspective on playing the character, saying, “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.”
