New Delhi, Sept. 6 -- With the release of Netflix's Inspector Zende, starring Manoj Bajpayee, audiences are being reintroduced to one of Mumbai's most legendary police officers - Madhukar Bapurao Zende. While the gripping drama explores his pursuit of the notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj, the real-life Zende's legacy extends far beyond a single arrest.

A career officer who served in the Mumbai Police from 1959 to 1996, Zende was widely respected for his calm under pressure, sharp investigative instincts, and ethical approach to policing. Over the decades, he built a reputation not through sensational encounters but through careful planning and unshakable courage.

"I never fired a bullet in my entire career," Zende once said. "Pol...