Loved Inspector Zende on Netflix? This quirky cop comedy, inspired by real-life Mumbai officer Madhukar Zende, blends truth with humor in the most entertaining way. The film has received so much love that it’s trending in Netflix’s Top 10 worldwide. If you’re looking for more movies and shows that mix crime, drama, and a dose of reality, here are 10 must-watch picks that fans of Inspector Zende will totally enjoy.
10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Liked Inspector Zende
1. Batla House – Amazon Prime
If Inspector Zende hooked you with a cop under fire while chasing justice, Batla House takes it to a larger scale. John Abraham plays officer Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, who battles terrorists, public criticism, and his own trauma. Like Zende, he’s inspired by a real cop who left no stone unturned in catching criminals, delivering equal parts adrenaline and grit.
2. Black Warrant – Netflix
One of the closest cousins to Inspector Zende, Black Warrant dives into life inside Tihar Jail in the ’80s through jailer Sunil Gupta’s eyes. Featuring real criminals like Charles Sobhraj and Ranga-Billa, it feels like a parallel chapter to Zende’s story – especially since his biggest claim to fame was catching Sobhraj. (Also Explore: Best Cop Dramas of 2025)
3. Delhi Crime – Netflix
Like Inspector Zende, Delhi Crime is rooted in real cases and painstaking police work. Inspired by officer Chhaya Sharma, the series follows DCP Vartika Chaturvedi as she leads the 2012 Delhi gang rape investigation. Both stories spotlight the human side of cops facing enormous pressure while fighting for justice. (Also Explore: Best Crime Thrillers on Netflix)
4. Ab Tak Chhappan – Prime Video
Just like Inspector Zende, Ab Tak Chhappan is inspired by a real cop – encounter specialist Daya Nayak. Nana Patekar plays Inspector Sadhu Agashe, who killed 56 gangsters in encounters. If Manoj Bajpayee’s subtle humor in Zende charmed you, Patekar’s dry sass will win you over here.
5. Tehran – Netflix
Like Inspector Zende, Tehran is also based on real events. John Abraham stars as ACP Rajeev Kumar, who investigates a 2012 bomb blast that killed someone close to him. His pursuit leads him across countries into espionage, betrayals, and shifting alliances – echoing the personal stakes and determination that drive Zende.
6. Main Aur Charles – JioHotstar
This one is directly tied to Inspector Zende! While Zende’s film shows the cop who caught Charles Sobhraj, Main Aur Charles flips the lens to Sobhraj’s point of view. Watching both together feels like experiencing both sides of a cat-and-mouse thriller.
7. Sikandar Ka Muqadar – Netflix
Much like Inspector Zende, Sikandar Ka Muqadar blends crime, drama, and masala storytelling. It follows a cop investigating an unsolved robbery, only for the case to turn into a dangerous obsession. Both highlight the grit and obsession that define larger-than-life cop tales.
8. Special 26 – YouTube
If you enjoyed the cat-and-mouse games in Inspector Zende, Special 26 is a clever twist. Here, the criminals pretend to be CBI officers and pull off fake raids on businessmen and politicians. Inspired by true events like the 1987 Opera House heist, it has the same thrill of wits, deception, and high-stakes chases as Zende. ( Also Explore: Best Indian Heist Movies of All Time)
9. Murder Mubarak – Netflix
If you loved the cheeky humor in Inspector Zende, Murder Mubarak will feel like a perfect match. With Pankaj Tripathi as an eccentric cop investigating high-society suspects, the film balances comedy and suspense in a way that mirrors Zende’s refreshing tone.
10. Talvar – JioHotstar
Inspector Zende showed us how tricky real investigations can be. Talvar dives even deeper, presenting multiple conflicting perspectives on the 2008 Noida double murder case. Both remind us that truth is rarely simple – and that cops often battle not just criminals, but narratives, politics, and doubt. (Also Explore: 12 Bollywood Movies Based On Real People & True Stories)
Which ones of the above are your favorite? Don’t forget to tell us!