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Mumbai – Levi’s® has appointed Alia Bhatt as its new Global Brand Ambassador, marking a major push to strengthen the brand’s presence in women’s denim and lifestyle categories. The move aligns a heritage name in denim with one of India’s most influential cultural figures, reinforcing Levi’s® shift toward style-led, comfort-first fits across key markets. The partnership comes at a time when women’s fashion is embracing a fundamental shift. Relaxed fits, wide legs, and looser silhouettes are no longer seasonal trends but wardrobe staples. Levi’s®, long synonymous with defining denim culture, is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution, with Alia leading the charge. “For me, a pair of jeans is never just a pair of jeans – it’s something you live in and make your own,” Alia said. “Our relationship with denim is so personal, but it also connects us all. Across countries and generations, denim is about celebrating who you are. Levi’s® has always been at the heart of this global movement, and I’m thrilled to now be part of it.” The collaboration will see Alia front campaigns across digital and retail channels, reflecting everyday versatility and trend-forward dressing. The strategy emphasizes refreshed classics, wide-leg silhouettes, and fit innovation to match changing consumer preferences. Hiren Gor, MD, South Asia-Middle East and Africa, Levi Strauss & Co., said:“Alia Bhatt’s influence transcends film and fashion—she shapes conversations. As we grow our women’s portfolio and lead the shift towards expressive, style-led, comfort-first fits, Alia brings cultural credibility and style authority. Together, we’re reinforcing Levi’s® as the most relevant and desirable denim brand.” Looking ahead, Levi’s® plans to sustain momentum with new silhouettes and reengineered classics, balancing timeless denim heritage with contemporary style relevance. The brand sees Alia Bhatt as a catalyst for driving demand across retail partners, omnichannel storytelling, and global consumer engagement.

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