Manoj Bajpayee, the seasoned Bollywood star, recently shared his excitement about stepping into the shoes of Inspector Zende in the new Netflix thriller. He says this role has given him a rare kind of joy and satisfaction that stands out in his 30-year career full of diverse characters.
The film “Inspector Zende,” directed by Chinmay Mandlekar and produced by Om Raut and Jay Shewakramani, hit Netflix screens on September 5. Talking about his experience, Bajpayee explained, “I’ve played plenty of cops, gangsters, good guys, teachers, and professors over the years. But it’s all about the person behind the uniform, right? Inspector Zende is totally new to me—he’s nothing like the quiet guy I am off-screen.”
Bajpayee loves keeping things low-key in real life. “I enjoy reading books, watching credible news, and forming my own views on the world,” he added. “But playing Zende was a blast because the director wanted me to infuse the character with humor, quirkiness, and tons of energy. It felt so alive!”
He even got emotional toward the end of shooting. “My main focus was staying in Zende’s zone. As we wrapped up, I felt sad it was over—his mindset had completely taken over me. But those memories stick with you forever. No matter if you’ve done 105 or 110 films, the great ones are the ones you cherish.”
For fans of Manoj Bajpayee movies, “Inspector Zende” stars him in the lead role, with Jim Sarbh playing the chilling Carl Bhojraj, inspired by the notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj. The cast also includes Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak, and Bhalchandra Kadam, making it a gripping watch on Netflix thriller lineup. If you’re into intense cop dramas and Bollywood action, this one’s a must-stream!
