I’m slightly frightened of him, was bit on edge: Jim Sarbh on working with Manoj Bajpayee in new film

Actor Jim Sarbh says working alongside Manoj Bajpayee in their new film Inspector Zende was both intimidating and inspiring, as he continues to remain in awe of the senior actor’s ability to elevate even the simplest of scenes.

The Netflix thriller, premiering Friday, is directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Chinmay Mandlekar. Bajpayee plays the titular role of a sharp-witted cop caught in a cat-and-mouse chase with Sarbh’s elusive Carl Bhojraj, a character loosely inspired by serial killer Charles Sobhraj and his arrest by Mumbai officer Madhukar Zende.

Sarbh, known for Neerja, Padmaavat and Rocket Boys, admitted he was nervous sharing screen space with Bajpayee. “I’ll never forget that scene in Gangs of Wasseypur when he’s pretending to wash the clothes. I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to watch everything this man has done’. It was so funny, and he did it so well. I’m still slightly frightened of him, and a bit on edge about what his character may do,” the 38-year-old actor said.

He praised Bajpayee’s craft, saying, “He stays completely rooted in the character and adds little nuances that suddenly make you love the scene. He can do anything.” Sarbh added he is also eager to see Bajpayee’s upcoming release Jugnuma.

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To prepare for Carl Bhojraj, Sarbh studied interviews of Sobhraj and worked on replicating his French accent. “He kept the thick French accent intentionally, as part of his persona of being this travelling French gentleman businessman. I also observed his body language and mannerisms,” he said.

The actor credited Mandlekar for balancing the contrasting worlds of the two leads. “Chinmay managed to pull it off really perfectly—one side is serious and intense, and the other pulls you into his own world. The person who eventually wins is the one who likes to laugh together,” he said.

Inspector Zende also features Sachin Khedekar, Bhalchandra Kadam, Girija Oak, Onkar Raut and Harish Dudhade. It is produced by Jay Shewakramani and Adipurush director Om Raut.