Saagar Kote
Directed by Chinmay Mandlekar, Netflix’s action comedy thriller film ‘Inspector Zende’ chronicles the happenings around a manhunt to capture a dreaded criminal and serial killer named Carl Bhojraj (Jim Sarbh), who escapes from a high-security prison in Delhi with other inmates. Mumbai police officer Madhukar Zende (Manoj Bajpayee) and his team of cops are discreetly ordered to hunt down the escapee before he leaves Indian territory and kills more people. The narrative explores ideas of redemption, teamwork, wit, and secrecy. As the cops and their target try to outdo each other, fate may have different ideas.
The visuals of the film and the fast-paced narrative add to the experience of the viewers, while also looking at important themes like ego, morality, and the mentality of criminals. The cat and mouse story also looks at the complexities and unpredictable nature of police work. If the plot, characters, and the tone of the film kept you engaged, these films, similar to ‘Inspector Zende,’ will keep you intrigued.
7. Baby (2015)
Directed by Neeraj Pandey, ‘Baby’ narrates the story of a team of Indian intelligence officers who must risk their lives to save the country from the threats posed by a terrorist mastermind named Maulana Mohammed Rahman (Rasheed Naz), who openly challenges the sovereignty of the country. Headed by Ajay Singh Rajput (Akshay Kumar), the team must traverse dangerous challenges in a globe-trotting adventure in order to achieve success in their mission. The elements of survival, manhunt, and courage are explored in the Indian action thriller film in ways similar to ‘Inspector Zende.’ Both stories have characters who are obsessed with hunting down their targets and their own lives to do so.
6. Central Intelligence (2016)
‘Central Intelligence’ follows the lives of two high-school friends named Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson), who is a CIA agent, and Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart), an accountant, who reunite after a long time and team up to execute a mission of international espionage. In an unexpected challenge, the accountant gets dragged into the world of deception and secrets by the agent who aims to prevent dangerous information from reaching the wrong people. The comedy crime film directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, akin to ‘Inspector Zende,’ looks at the idea of teamwork and also has a visual tone that complements it. Characters in both movies hunt down people in hilarious ways, which forges a greater connection between the narratives.
5. Main Aur Charles (2015)
The Indian crime drama film ‘Main Aur Charles’ is an exploration of the life of a serial killer named Charles Sobhraj (Randeep Hooda), who becomes a subject of a manhunt after he escapes from jail. Directed by Prawaal Raman, the narrative is a character study that looks at the trials and tribulations of the criminal. It explores his world as he tries to deceive others and achieve his goals using multiple fake identities and his charm, while also trying to outrun determined police officers who want him contained at any cost. The film has a strong connection to Inspector Zende as it focuses on a manhunt and looks at the challenges faced by the cops who try to capture a dreaded criminal. Characters in both films use their charm and wits to manipulate others.
4. Midnight Run (1988)
Directed by Martin Brest, ‘Midnight Run’ is the story of a bounty hunter named Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) and his experiences with a criminal called Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin). The action comedy film follows Jack as he is tasked to transfer the criminal to LA and collect his bounty. However, there are secrets and ulterior motives that could affect the mission and the lives of the two men. As the two men go on an arduous journey, their personal dynamics lead to unexpected scenarios and an unlikely partnership. The humor and the visual style of the film resemble the world of ‘Inspector Zende.’ Characters in the stories hilariously try to outdo others while also leading dangerous missions. The chemistry between the main characters is an important aspect in both films.
3. Hot Fuzz (2007)
The British comedy thriller film ‘Hot Fuzz’ chronicles the life of a London-based police officer called Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) and his unlikely partnership with small-town constable Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). The protagonist is transferred to a town called Sandford, where he faces unexpected challenges and hilarious circumstances, as well as a series of violent killings that challenge him like never before. The gun fights and the car chases in the Edgar Wright directorial are narrated in hilarious ways, which makes it closely resemble ‘Inspector Zende’ and its visual style, including the eccentric character. Cops in both films risk their lives to achieve their objectives.
2. 21 Jump Street (2012)
Based on the eponymous TV series created by Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell, ‘21 Jump Street’ narrates the hilarious attempts by two cops named Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum), who, as a result of their ineffectiveness are given an unlikely task wherein they have to infiltrate a high school pretending to be young boys and bring an end to a supposedly dangerous drug operation connected to the school. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the action comedy buddy cop film looks at the rib-tickling scenarios the protagonists get into as they try to redeem themselves. The comedy elements of the narrative and the chemistry between the main characters connect it to the visual and tonal styles of ‘Inspector Zende’ and its characters.
1. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, the action comedy thriller film ‘Catch Me If You Can’ is a game of cat and mouse between an FBI agent named Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) and a con artist called Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), who tries to deceive and outrun the system. Based on the eponymous semi-autobiographical book by the real-life Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding, the film explores ideas of betrayal, secrets, deception, and obsession as the two main characters face unexpected challenges when they repeatedly attempt to outdo each other. The idea of a manhunt is central to the plot, akin to ‘Inspector Zende.’ Both stories involve officers who test their own limits as they try to capture their targets. The visual styles of the films also forge a spiritual connection.
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