Om Raut's 'Inspector Zende' Streams on Netflix This September

Mumbai, Aug 13 (PTI) Filmmaker Om Raut has consistently sought to dive into historical narratives about Maratha figures, with successful ventures including his 2020 blockbuster "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior" and the forthcoming film "Inspector Zende." Raut made his directorial debut with the praised 2015 Marathi film "Lokmanya: Ek Yug Purush," which centered around the social reformer Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and later produced the Ajay Devgn feature "Tanhaji," which celebrated Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare. Currently, Raut is producing "Inspector Zende," a film directed by Chinmay D Mandlekar, featuring Manoj Bajpayee as the lead.

This story is inspired by the Mumbai police officer Madhukar Zende, known for capturing the infamous criminal Charles Sobhraj, also called the "Bikini Killer." "Inspector Zende is recognized nationally for his extraordinary achievements. He's a Marathi superhero, stemming from the same land as Chinmay and me, Maharashtra. The accomplishments of his career flourished in this city and state. Like in my initial film on Lokmanya Tilak, a Marathi-born figure celebrated internationally,” Raut shared in an interview with PTI. Set in the lively alleys of 1970s and 1980s Mumbai, "Inspector Zende" tells the story of a resilient police officer, portrayed by Bajpayee, and Carl Bhojraj (Jim Sarbh), the notorious "Swimsuit Killer" who escaped from Tihar Jail in New Delhi. The film is a unique mix of crime, comedy, and nostalgia that charts their cat-and-mouse chase.

Raut, producing the movie alongside Jay Shewakramani, under the Northern Lights Films banner, emphasized the importance of acknowledging local heroes’ contributions. “Stories such as these are thrilling for someone who grew up nearby, and they’re the stories I’m eager to tell,” he expressed. The filmmaker believes the essence of Inspector Zende’s tale transcends cultural barriers, resonating with global audiences, hence opting for a Netflix release. "Reaching a broad audience is crucial, and every film, script, and subject has an ideal platform. ‘Inspector Zende’ finds its place on this platform, allowing a greater range,” Raut elaborated. The concept for “Inspector Zende” sprouted from stories Raut's journalist father shared about a remarkable police officer turned local legend.

Raut had the opportunity to meet Zende personally and discuss the movie. "Chinmay was part of my earlier project ('Lokmanya') as an actor, and we often discussed this project (film on Inspector Zende). One day I suggested, ‘Chinmay, would you consider writing this film?’ and he agreed. By then, we had undertaken some initial research, which he further expanded. He wrote the script, and after presenting a narration, I felt, ‘This offers a refreshing perspective,’” Raut said, noting he then proposed the script to Bajpayee and Netflix.

Raut's latest directorial project was the Prabhas-starrer "Adipurush," a mythological epic based on the Hindu epic Ramayana. Following its June 2023 release, the movie faced criticism for its screenplay, dialogues, and subpar visual effects. Despite this, Raut expressed interest in revisiting the genre, stating, “There’s something in mythology I desire to explore. It's about the rich culture and history present in our nation,” he remarked. "Inspector Zende" is set to premiere on Netflix on September 5, featuring Bhalchandra Kadam, Sachin Khedekar, Girija Oak, and Harish Dudhade in critical roles.

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