September 10, 2025

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Inspector Zende review: Manoj Bajpayee grounds a witty, retro cat-and-mouse thriller

International conman Carl Bhojraj (Jim Sarbh) breaks free from prison and resurfaces in Mumbai, reigniting a tense cat-and-mouse chase. On his trail is Inspector Madhukar Zende (Manoj Bajpayee), whose grit and instincts make him the only man capable of cornering the elusive fugitive before his web of deceptions spirals into chaos. Crime thrillers inspired by real-life criminals are hardly new to Indian cinema. Charles Sobhraj—the infamous “Bikini Killer”—has long fascinated filmmakers, from Main Aur Charles (2015) to Netflix’s The Serpent (2021). Inspector Zende, however, flips the perspective, shining the spotlight on the unsung hero who caught him: Mumbai’s IPS officer Madhukar Bapurao Zende. A chase through 1970s–80s Mumbai Set against the gritty yet vibrant backdrop of the 1970s and ’80s, the film dramatizes Zende’s pursuit of Bhojraj, a fictionalized Sobhraj. Twice, Zende managed to apprehend the fugitive—first in 1971 and again after the sensational 1986 Tihar Jail escape. Rather than dwelling on darkness, the narrative celebrates street-smart policing in a pre-digital era—before CCTV cameras and forensic databases, when instinct and persistence were a cop’s strongest weapons. Writer-director Chinmay D. Mandlekar wisely avoids the trappings of a brooding biopic. Instead, he crafts a 112-minute period adventure laced with humour and warmth. His recreation of Mumbai’s streets, fashion, and restless energy feels authentic, giving the film a nostalgic appeal while keeping it briskly paced. Performances power the film The beating heart of Inspector Zende is its performances. Manoj Bajpayee plays Zende with earthy simplicity and quiet authority, steering clear of loud heroics. He gives the cop a humane core—pragmatic, witty, and unpretentious. While echoes of The Family Man occasionally surface, Zende is firmly his own man. Opposite him, Jim Sarbh has a ball as Bhojraj. Smooth, magnetic, and unnervingly charming, his flamboyance makes the fugitive as compelling as the cop tailing him. Supporting turns from Sachin Khedekar (as DGP Purandare) and Girija Oak (as Zende’s wife Viju) flesh out the world, with Oak and Bajpayee’s warm chemistry balancing the chase with domestic tenderness. A family-friendly thriller? Where Inspector Zende distinguishes itself is in tone. Instead of brooding intensity, it embraces levity, almost positioning itself as a family-friendly crime thriller. This choice will split audiences—purists may find the humour softens the edge of real crimes, while others will welcome its lighter, more accessible approach. Verdict Neither a rigid biopic nor a fictional caper, Inspector Zende walks a middle path: part homage to a forgotten police hero, part entertaining retro thriller. It may not please all crime purists, but it earns its place with strong performances, a lively tone, and a lovingly detailed recreation of a bygone Mumbai. ⭐ Rating: 3.5/5

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Editor04 mins

Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra emerges as a sleeper hit, Priyanka Chopra joins in praise

Ever since its release on August 28, Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra has been making waves at the box office. Despite a modest promotional campaign, the film turned into a sleeper hit driven by strong word-of-mouth. In just eight days, it collected ₹52 crore across India. The film, initially released in Malayalam and Telugu with limited Tamil shows, has now expanded to Hindi, widening its reach. Priyanka Chopra’s shoutout Actor Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram to hail Lokah, calling it “India’s first female superhero film.” Sharing the film’s poster, she wrote: “India’s first female superhero is here. Congratulations Dulquer Salmaan and the entire team of Lokah. This story has already been winning hearts in Malayalam, and now it’s out in Hindi too. P.S. Added it to my watchlist already! Have you?” Producer Dulquer Salmaan reshared the post, thanking her: “OMG! Thank you! This support means the world to our whole team of Lokah!” Earlier, Alia Bhatt had also praised the film for its “fresh blend of mythic folklore and mystery.” Box office & reach Reception & controversies Lokah is now the third-highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025, after Prithviraj Sukumaran’s L2: Empuraan and Mohanlal’s Thudaram. However, it faced backlash over a dialogue perceived as demeaning to women, especially from Karnataka, and for allegedly portraying Hindus negatively. Following protests, Wayfarer Films, Dulquer’s banner, issued an apology and removed the dialogue.

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Editor03 mins

Baaghi 4 review — all muscle, very little method

Baaghi 4 is less a film than a stunt reel stitched together: Tiger Shroff’s Ronny exists to fight, bleed, break bones and do it shirtless. Beyond that simple promise, the movie offers a thin, often bewildering story, flamboyant production design and a handful of odd pleasures. The plot (such as it is) follows Ronny — now a onetime Defence Sea Forces man — who’s obsessed with Alisha (Sandhu), the impossibly versatile beauty who may or may not be real. His brother Deepu (Talpade) provides comic-relief poverty and dubious housing, Olivia / Pratishtha (a wasted Bhumi Pednekar?) plays the prostitute-with-a-heart, and Heather-style carnival-Mad-Max worldbuilding places them all in “Chandara”, a fantasy locale where carnivals, beaches and mountain vistas sit next to masked funerals. Sanjay Dutt’s self-styled “shaitaan” is the film’s big-name thunderbolt: velvet jackets, tigers-as-pets and maniacal laughs. He’s scenery-chewing in the way the film asks its stars to be — big, loud and immediately legible. There are a handful of genuinely arresting visual moments (the film’s carnival and set pieces have a lurid, comic-book bravado), and the action choreography will satisfy viewers who come purely for the physical thrills. But narrative logic is constantly optional. Alisha’s improbable mansion, the one-off appearances of dozens of “fostered” children, and the repeated deus-ex machina beatdowns stretch credulity into parody. The film mistakes repetition of violence for escalation — just when you think the stunt has peaked, it jumps higher and keeps going. The attempts at emotional stakes (a woman in peril; a brother’s loyalty) are undercut by a screenplay that habitually prefers the next fight to any character work. Tonally, the movie oscillates between melodrama, cartoon villainy and forced gravitas — often within the same scene. That volatility produces odd, occasionally entertaining moments: surprising reversals, an over-the-top line like “I will marry you Chaakoo,” and the delightfully absurd sight of Ronny taking tender pauses mid-pendulum-hang. But these are flashes rather than foundations. Verdict: Baaghi 4 delivers on spectacle and stuntcraft for fans who want a nonstop action carnival. For anyone hoping for a coherent story, believable relationships or emotional depth, it will feel hollow and repetitive. It’s a film that keeps surprising you — mostly because it refuses to stop.

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Editor04 mins

The Conjuring: Last Rites review – an old-fashioned ghost story with chilling flair

The Warrens return one last time in The Conjuring: Last Rites, a chilling installment rooted in faith, family, and one of the demonologists’ most terrifying cases. Plot Opening in 1961, the film sets the tone with Lorraine Warren’s (Madison Lawlor) terrifying vision of a malignant entity inside a mirror — a moment that coincides with the near-death birth of her daughter, Judy. Born with her mother’s clairvoyant gift, Judy grows up under Lorraine’s tutelage, while Ed (Orion Smith/Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) balance their faith with their paranormal calling. By 1986, the couple has retired due to Ed’s health, but their daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson) — now a young woman engaged to ex-cop Tony (Ben Hardy) — finds herself drawn back into the supernatural when the Smurl family of Pennsylvania encounters a malevolent presence linked to a cursed mirror. When daughters Heather (Kíla Lord Cassidy) and Dawn (Beau Gadsdon) attempt to destroy the object, the evil escalates, culminating in one of the film’s most grotesque moments: Dawn vomiting shards of glass in a torrent of blood. The Smurls’ plea for help is ignored by both media and church, until Father Gordon (Steve Coulter) summons the retired Warrens — whose family connection compels them to face the diabolic force. Performances & Craft Tone & Style Unlike modern splatter-horror, Last Rites leans into its old-world charm — vintage costumes, VHS tapes, oversized spectacles, and even a subplot where Heather deciphers evil through grainy video footage. The film blends gentle transgression and grotesque imagery, offering enough gore without losing its gothic restraint. Verdict The Conjuring: Last Rites doesn’t reinvent the haunted mirror trope, but it delivers what fans expect: faith battling the forces of hell, grounded by family bonds and classic scares. While not the scariest entry in the franchise, it feels like a fitting, if formulaic, swan song for the Warrens’ saga — a comforting ghost story wrapped in vintage dread. ⭐ Rating: 3.5/5

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Editor04 mins

The Bengal Files review: Vivek Agnihotri escalates rhetoric with Partition lens

By [Your Publication] After the sweeping success of The Kashmir Files, director Vivek Agnihotri returns with another politically charged narrative in The Bengal Files, a film that seeks to connect Partition-era politics with present-day allegations of minority appeasement. Storyline The film follows IPS officer Shiva Pandit (Darshan Kumar, reprising his role from The Kashmir Files), tasked with investigating the disappearance of a tribal girl in Murshidabad. His probe runs into resistance from local MLA Sardar Hussaini (Saswata Chatterjee), whose political dominance is protected by what the film portrays as decades of minority appeasement rooted in Partition politics. Shiva’s confrontation with Hussaini brings to the surface buried memories of Partition violence, narrated by Bharti Banerjee (Simrat Kaur/Pallavi Joshi). Her testimony links past suffering to contemporary politics of vote banks, illegal migration, and community polarisation. Performances and Symbolism Darshan Kumar leads with a grounded performance, while Saswata Chatterjee delivers a menacing turn as the power-hungry MLA. Pallavi Joshi provides emotional heft, and Namashi Chakrabarty makes an impactful debut alongside his father Mithun Chakraborty, whose cameo underlines the ideological thrust. Agnihotri employs the motif of “Mother India” as a recurring symbol, drawing a direct line between Partition wounds and current debates on national identity. Narrative Choices and Criticism Blind Spots Agnihotri’s gaze largely omits the ordinary Muslim household devastated by Partition violence, instead casting blame on the entire community for the actions of leaders like Suhrawardy. The film also takes liberties with historical detail, such as Suhrawardy addressing young Mujibur Rahman as “Mujibur” instead of “Mujib,” and Hussaini’s son aspiring to be “the first minority PM” — overlooking the tenure of Manmohan Singh. Verdict At three hours, The Bengal Files is emotionally charged, dramatically staged, and ideologically unrelenting. For its supporters, it will be seen as a bold truth-telling exercise. For its detractors, it is an exercise in selective history, emotional manipulation, and communal provocation. Either way, Agnihotri has sharpened his craft, raised the stakes, and ensured that this film, like its predecessor, will remain at the centre of India’s cultural and political debate.

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Editor04 mins

Balapur Ganesh Laddu Auctioned for ₹35 Lakh, Sets New Record

The iconic Balapur Ganesh laddu was auctioned for a record ₹35 lakh on Saturday (September 6, 2025), continuing a three-decade-old tradition. The winning bid came from Lingala Dasarat Goud, a resident of Karmanghat in Rangareddy district, who outbid four other participants. Last year, the laddu fetched ₹30,01,000. The 21-kg laddu, standing nearly two feet tall with a tapering crown, was auctioned after the ceremonial procession of the Ganesh idol through Balapur’s lanes, which marks the beginning of immersion festivities. From early morning, Balapur’s Temple Road turned into a sea of devotees. The lanes, decorated in saffron and white with strings of buntings overhead, resonated with chants and festive spirit. Hundreds of locals in traditional attire lined the barricaded streets, awaiting the laddu auction and the grand procession of the 18-foot Ganesh idol. Security arrangements were strict, with heavy police deployment over half a kilometre around the pandal. Barricades and personnel ensured smooth crowd and traffic movement as excitement built for the day’s highlights. A trailer decorated with fresh marigold garlands was readied to carry the idol for immersion at Hussain Sagar. The immersion, which traditionally attracts lakhs of devotees, was expected to begin later in the day, winding its way through Hyderabad before culminating at the lake.

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Editor02 mins

Vedanta outbids Adani, wins auction for debt-laden Jaiprakash Associates with ₹17,000 crore offer

New Delhi – Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta Group has outbid the Adani conglomerate to emerge as the top bidder for bankrupt Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), offering ₹17,000 crore in a challenge auction conducted by lenders on Friday. The offer, with a net present value of ₹12,505 crore, marks the highest recovery plan so far for the debt-laden company. However, lenders who have admitted claims of over ₹59,000 crore will still face a 71% haircut under Vedanta’s proposal, according to people familiar with the matter. Auction details Strategic significance For Vedanta, the acquisition provides an entry point into cement and infrastructure, sectors where it currently has no presence. The deal would bring marquee assets such as Jaypee Greens, Wish Town, and the International Sports City near Jewar airport into its fold. It also offers a foothold in the rapidly consolidating cement industry, dominated by UltraTech, Adani and Shree Cement. Meanwhile, Vedanta is also pushing ahead with a major restructuring plan to split its listed entity into five pure-play companies, a move facing legal scrutiny from the Indian government. Pending challenges Broader picture Once a formidable force in India’s real estate and infrastructure sector, the Jaiprakash Group has been weighed down by debt for nearly a decade. Successive resolution attempts have yielded little value for banks, making this one of the largest insolvency cases under India’s bankruptcy framework. Even with Vedanta’s winning bid, lenders will recover less than a third of their exposure. But for Vedanta, clinching Jaiprakash could reshape its portfolio and provide a new growth engine in housing and infrastructure, at a time when India’s economy is expanding at the fastest pace among major economies.

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Editor04 mins

IndiGo Kochi-Abu Dhabi Flight Returns Mid-Air After Technical Snag

An Abu Dhabi-bound IndiGo flight was forced to return to Kochi early on Saturday after developing a technical snag mid-air, according to PTI sources. The flight, 6E-1403, carrying over 180 passengers and six crew members, had departed Kochi at 11:10 pm on Friday but was diverted back, landing safely at 1:44 am on Saturday. Passengers were later accommodated on another IndiGo aircraft, which took off for Abu Dhabi around 3:30 am. A fresh set of crew members operated the onward flight as the original crew had exceeded flight duty time limits. Sources added that passengers reached their destination safely with minimal disruption. Flight tracking platform Flightradar24.com showed that the affected aircraft was an Airbus A320 neo. IndiGo has yet to issue an official statement. Earlier Incident: Bird Strike on Nagpur-Kolkata Flight This incident comes just days after another IndiGo flight, operating from Nagpur to Kolkata, had to return to Nagpur following a bird strike soon after take-off on September 2. The flight, with about 160–165 passengers on board, landed safely. In a statement, the airline confirmed: “IndiGo flight 6E 812 operating from Nagpur to Kolkata encountered a bird strike soon after take-off. As a precautionary step, pilots decided to turn back and the flight landed safely at the Nagpur airport.” The aircraft was grounded for mandatory inspection and maintenance, and the flight was cancelled for the day. IndiGo said it provided refreshments, alternate arrangements, or a full refund to passengers to minimise inconvenience.

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Editor02 mins

Operation Sindoor Continued Beyond Three Days, Says Army Chief

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday clarified that Operation Sindoor, India’s military offensive launched on May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, did not conclude within three days as many believed. Speaking at a book launch event in New Delhi, he said, “You may be thinking that on May 10, the war finished; no, because it continued for a long time, because so many decisions were to be taken, and beyond that, of course, it will be difficult for me to share here.” Addressing the challenges along the India-Pakistan border, General Dwivedi remarked that it was too early to assess the impact of Operation Sindoor along the Line of Control (LoC). He pointed out that Pakistan-backed terrorism has not ended and infiltration attempts continue. “Has state-sponsored terrorism ended? I don’t think so, because infiltration attempts are still happening on the LoC. And we all know how many terrorists have been killed and how many of them have escaped,” he said. The Army Chief underscored the importance of synergy among the armed forces during the operation, likening the Army’s coordinated movements to a “rhythmic wave” where everyone was in sync and fully aware of their orders. On the subject of theaterisation—the integration of the three services—he stressed its inevitability. “Theaterisation will happen, whether today or tomorrow. The question is only how long it will take,” he said, adding that in modern warfare, where multiple agencies are involved, unity of command is essential for effective execution. General Dwivedi also welcomed recent GST reforms, highlighting their significance in accelerating military modernisation. He noted that the reduction of GST on drones from 18 percent to 5 percent would facilitate large-scale procurement and encourage greater participation from MSMEs and start-ups in defence manufacturing. “Our defence corridors will receive a major fillip as investments increase,” he said. In a separate event in Chennai, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also emphasised the critical importance of jointness and integration within the armed forces. Addressing graduating cadets at the Officers Training Academy, he said, “Operation Sindoor has showcased exceptional coordination between the three services, synergy and integration within the armed forces and other agencies.” He urged the new officers to uphold and further the spirit of jointness in their careers, stressing that such cooperation is vital for future operations.

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Editor04 mins

मुंबई बम धमकी मामले में ज्योतिषी गिरफ्तार, दोस्त से दुश्मनी बनी वजह

उत्तर प्रदेश के नोएडा से एक व्यक्ति को मुंबई में बम धमकी संदेश भेजने के आरोप में गिरफ्तार किया गया है। पुलिस के अनुसार, आरोपी ने अपने पुराने दोस्त से दुश्मनी के चलते यह झूठी आतंकी धमकी दी थी। गिरफ्तार व्यक्ति की पहचान 51 वर्षीय अश्विनी कुमार के रूप में हुई है, जो बिहार के पटना (पटलीपुत्र) का रहने वाला है और पिछले पांच वर्षों से नोएडा में रह रहा था। पेशे से वह ज्योतिषी है। पुलिस ने उसके मोबाइल फोन और सिम कार्ड जब्त कर लिए हैं और उसे नोएडा से मुंबई लाया जा रहा है। यह गिरफ्तारी उस समय हुई जब मुंबई ट्रैफिक पुलिस के आधिकारिक व्हाट्सऐप नंबर पर एक संदेश आया, जिसमें दावा किया गया था कि शहर में 34 “ह्यूमन बम” लगाए गए हैं और 14 पाकिस्तानी आतंकी भारत में घुस चुके हैं। संदेश में यह भी कहा गया था कि धमाकों में 400 किलो आरडीएक्स का इस्तेमाल होगा। खुद को ‘लश्कर-ए-जिहादी’ बताने वाले संगठन के नाम से यह धमकी दी गई थी। यह धमकी गणेश विसर्जन से ठीक एक दिन पहले आई, जिसके चलते मुंबई में सुरक्षा कड़ी कर दी गई और पूरे शहर को हाई अलर्ट पर रखा गया। दोस्त से दुश्मनी के कारण दी धमकी एफआईआर के मुताबिक, अश्विनी ने यह संदेश अपने दोस्त फिरोज को फंसाने के लिए भेजा था। साल 2023 में फिरोज की शिकायत पर अश्विनी को पटना के फुलवारी शरीफ में तीन महीने जेल में रहना पड़ा था। इसी रंजिश के चलते उसने मुंबई ट्रैफिक पुलिस को धमकी भरा संदेश फिरोज के नाम से भेजा। अश्विनी के पास से सात मोबाइल फोन, तीन सिम कार्ड, छह मेमोरी कार्ड होल्डर, एक सिम स्लॉट एक्सटर्नल, दो डिजिटल कार्ड, चार सिम कार्ड होल्डर और एक मेमोरी कार्ड जब्त किए गए हैं।

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Editor01 mins
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