Manoj Bajpayee is widely regarded as one of the finest actors in Hindi cinema. He is celebrated for the depth and authenticity he brings to each of his characters across genres. The National Award-winning
actor is now gearing up for the release of his upcoming comedy-thriller, Inspector Zende.
Known for his intense and layered performances in films like Shool, Special 26, and Bhonsle, Bajpayee has also showcased his impeccable comic timing. He first found his humorous stride in the critically acclaimed series The Family Man and now reprises his ‘straight-faced’ comedy as Mumbai cop Madhukar Zende, hot on the trail of a notorious criminal in Inspector Zende.
‘Nobody Thought I Would be Humorous’: Manoj Bajpayee
In an interview with PTI, Manoj Bajpayee said, “Before ‘The Family Man, nobody thought that I would be humorous with a straight face. So, the straight face humour is a word that people have given to it. But I enjoy creating humour out of a situation which is real and relatable.”
This very approach, he explained, has been carried into his role as Inspector Madhukar Zende, a cop inspired by the real-life officer who famously caught serial killer Charles Sobhraj not once but twice. In the film, the character of Sobhraj is renamed Carl Bhojraj and played by Jim Sarbh.
Manoj Bajpayee On Playing Madhukar Zende
For Bajpayee, the charm of Inspector Zende lies in the subtle quirks of his personality, which emerge not by force but organically through the narrative. “He’s not going out of his character. It’s about the seriousness with which he approaches the comedic moment. That really sells it and makes it work without distancing the actor from the character. That is a tricky point. Don’t attempt comedy, the humour will come out,” he explained.
From Shool To Inspector Zende: Two Sides Of The Same Coin
Manoj Bajpayee’s career-defining role as a police officer in Ram Gopal Varma’s Shool (1999) was a portrayal of grit, idealism, and disillusionment. When asked about how it compares to his current role, the actor reflected on the stark difference between the two films.
“Shool was about a young cop who is full of idealism about his job, and he keeps getting disillusioned by his family, society and his own department. It was a story of how he keeps losing near and dear ones when he is quite stubborn about following the rules,” Bajpayee recalled.
The role demanded such intensity that he admitted it affected his mental well-being. “I had to immerse myself completely into the role, which resulted in me losing my balance. I realised that this is not the way I should go because though it was temporary, it cost me my health, mental health.”
In contrast, Inspector Zende gave him room to explore humour while still holding onto the core seriousness of the story. “Inspector Zende is the polar opposite of Shool. It’s a comic take on the chase of one of the most dreaded psychopaths in the world. Charles Sobhraj is not only a criminal and a psychopath; he has been a talk of the nation and a talk of all the international communities and law enforcement forces for many years. He was part of pop culture; he was more of a hero with intrigue for people than a criminal. Chinmay’s take is endearing, quite hilarious, so mostly we had fun. There was no scope of immersing yourself completely and losing your mind,” Bajpayee shared.
Inspector Zende: Cast
Directed by Chinmay Mandlekar features acclaimed actors from the Marathi film industry like Sachin Khedekar, Bhalchandra Kadam, Girija Oak, Onkar Raut, and Harish Dudhade, among others. The film will debut on Netflix on September 5.
