Can OTT Star’s Thriller Break Adipurush Curse?

Manoj Bajpayee is back with a gritty and nostalgic cop thriller for OTT audiences titled Inspector Zende produced by Om Raut and Jay Shewakramani. Fans are hoping this new Netflix offering will recreate the admiration earned by Bajpayee’s recent Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai, which had the rare honour of a theatrical release after its initial success on OTT.

Set in the winding gullies of 1970s and 80s Mumbai, Inspector Zende follows a relentless police officer racing against time to capture the infamous “swimsuit killer” who has escaped from Tihar Jail. Jim Sarbh plays the charming yet dangerous Carl Bhojraj in this story loosely inspired by real events. The film brings back the thrill of a cat-and-mouse chase backed by sheer will and old-school detective grit.

The makers officially confirmed that Inspector Zende will stream on Netflix from 5 September 2025. It has been a while since OTT viewers saw something so thrilling on the platform, and anticipation is building fast. The director, Chinmay D. Mandlekar, brings a keen sense of period drama to this otherwise fast-paced chase.

Despite some reservations over Om Raut’s involvement after the Adipurush backlash, faith in Manoj Bajpayee remains strong and many are hopeful the film will live up to the hype of Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai. It will be fascinating to watch if this gritty Mumbai drama delivers the suspense and emotional pull that fans crave.