The story of French serial killer Charles Sobhraj, portrayed in the BBC-Netflix drama The Serpent, is well-known.
Now, a new Netflix film tells the lesser-known story of an Indian police officer who captured the notorious killer - not once, but twice.
Inspector Zende stars Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee in the titular role, while actor Jim Sarbh plays Sobhraj - reimagined as Carl Bhojraj.
The film unfolds over three weeks in 1986 as the policeman and the criminal engage in a thrilling cat-and-mouse game.
Warning: Spoilers below for the Netflix film
It begins on March 16 of that year, when Sobhraj escapes from Delhi's high-security Tihar jail, where he was serving a 12-year sentence for the murder of a French tourist.
By falsely claiming it was his birthday, he tricks staff into feeding drug-laced sweets to the prisoners and then makes his escape. Shortly thereafter, Inspector Madhukar Zende is summoned to recapture him, having previously arrested Sobhraj in 1971.
The film's release has reawakened the story of Zende, who made headlines decades ago for his significant arrests.
The retired 88-year-old officer remarked to the BBC that among the many criminals he arrested, the notoriety of "the international criminal Sobhraj" notably earned him the title of a 'supercop'.
Born to an Indian father and Vietnamese mother, Sobhraj's life of crime began with a daring robbery in India, leading him to be dubbed the 'Bikini Killer' for his heinous acts against young Western women.
Eventually, his criminal activities caught up with him, leading to a series of arrests, trials, and escapes that captured international attention.
However, it is Zende's relentless pursuit and strategic recapture of Sobhraj, particularly during the critical chase in Goa, that remains a testament to his legacy.
Now, decades later, Zende reflects on his storied career while basking in the renewed recognition that comes with the cinematic portrayal of his greatest case.
