The name Charles Sobhraj evokes fear, intrigue, and fascination. Known worldwide as “The Serpent” or the “Bikini Killer,” Sobhraj was a notorious criminal whose web of deception and crimes stretched across Asia and beyond during the 1970s. His story has inspired films, books, and TV series. But behind the headlines, one life was deeply affected — that of his daughter, Usha Sobhraj.
This article dives into the question, “Who is the Serpent’s daughter?”, explores her life, and also answers related curiosities such as “Which Bollywood movie is based on Charles Sobhraj?” and “Who played the role of Charles Sobhraj?”
Who Is the Serpent’s Daughter?
Usha Sobhraj, also known later as Usha Sutliff, was born to Charles Sobhraj and his French partner, Chantal Compagnon, in the early 1970s. While her father gained notoriety for his crimes, Usha’s life took a starkly different trajectory.
From her earliest years, Usha’s life was marked by turbulence. As Charles and Chantal fled from one country to another while evading authorities, Usha spent much of her early childhood in instability. Eventually, her mother separated from Charles, settling in the United States, where Usha was raised.
Despite the constant shadow of her father’s legacy, Usha is reported to have built an impressive career far away from the crime-ridden narrative associated with her surname. Sources suggest she pursued education and later worked in journalism, homeland security, and counter-terrorism roles in the U.S. Some reports even indicate she served as a reserve officer for the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department), which is an ironic twist given her father’s criminal history.
Importantly, Usha has distanced herself from Charles Sobhraj, declining to cooperate with the BBC/Netflix production The Serpent (2021) and keeping a low public profile.
The Burden of a Notorious Legacy
Growing up as the child of a man infamously dubbed “The Serpent” is no small burden. While many children of infamous criminals either exploit the notoriety or remain entangled in it, Usha deliberately chose the opposite path — privacy and professionalism.
Public records and profiles suggest she not only changed her surname to Sutliff but also embraced a life of service, focusing on law enforcement and homeland security, symbolically standing against the very kind of criminal activities that made her father infamous.
Unlike Charles Sobhraj, who thrived in manipulation, Usha is known for maintaining an extremely low media presence. She declined offers to appear in documentaries or biopics about her father, including The Serpent, which dramatized his life.
Which Bollywood Movie Is Based on Charles Sobhraj?
The notoriety of Charles Sobhraj has made him a fascinating subject for filmmakers. The most prominent Bollywood movie inspired by his life is Main Aur Charles (2015).
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Directed by Prawaal Raman, this Hindi crime thriller is a fictionalized account inspired by Sobhraj’s crimes and his sensational jailbreak from Tihar Jail in 1986.
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The film’s narrative is framed through the eyes of a police officer who pursued Sobhraj.
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It focuses on his charisma, manipulation, and the aura he cultivated around himself, which allowed him to deceive and exploit people.
Though the movie was not a box office blockbuster, it received critical praise, particularly for its performances and cinematography. It remains one of the most significant Indian cinematic depictions of Charles Sobhraj’s criminal saga.
Who Played the Role of Charles Sobhraj?
Over the years, several actors across film and television have portrayed Charles Sobhraj. His story’s mix of glamour, deception, and horror has attracted talented actors worldwide.
1. Randeep Hooda in Main Aur Charles (2015)
Randeep Hooda’s performance as Sobhraj in Main Aur Charles was widely acclaimed. He perfectly captured the smooth-talking, manipulative, and magnetic persona of the real-life killer. His role remains one of the highlights of his acting career.
2. Tahar Rahim in The Serpent (2021)
French actor Tahar Rahim starred as Charles Sobhraj in the BBC/Netflix true-crime drama The Serpent. His performance received global praise for its chilling accuracy and nuance. The series brought Sobhraj’s story to international audiences and was one of the most discussed true-crime dramas of 2021.
3. Art Malik in Shadow of the Cobra (1989)
In the 1980s, a TV miniseries titled Shadow of the Cobra was released, starring Art Malik as Charles Sobhraj. This two-part dramatization was among the earliest adaptations of his criminal life.
4. Sidhant Gupta in Black Warrant (2025)
The upcoming Netflix India project Black Warrant features actor Sidhant Gupta portraying Charles Sobhraj. This new adaptation reflects the ongoing fascination filmmakers have with the infamous “Serpent.”
5. Jim Sarbh (fictionalized role)
In another upcoming series focusing on Inspector Madhukar Zende, the Mumbai officer who arrested Sobhraj, the criminal character will be portrayed under the fictional name “Carl Bhojraj,” played by actor Jim Sarbh.
The Complex Story of Charles Sobhraj and Family
Charles Sobhraj’s personal life was as complicated as his criminal career. His relationships were often marked by manipulation and control. With Chantal Compagnon, he fathered Usha, but the marriage collapsed under the weight of his escalating crimes.
While Sobhraj continued a life of fraud, theft, drugging, and murders across Asia, Usha and Chantal attempted to rebuild their lives far from his chaos. The distance was not just geographical but also deeply emotional.
Even during Sobhraj’s later years, when he was imprisoned in Nepal and eventually released in 2022 due to age and health conditions, there is no public record of reconciliation between father and daughter. Usha has consistently remained out of public connection with him.
Media Spotlight on Usha Sobhraj
Despite her preference for privacy, Usha’s life occasionally resurfaces in media whenever new adaptations of her father’s story appear. Blog sites, entertainment outlets, and newspapers speculate on her life, her choice of surname, and her career.
Yet, unlike her father, who relished media attention and manipulated his public image, Usha has mastered the art of staying away from it. This deliberate distance makes her story fascinating — a contrast between a criminal father who thrived on attention and a daughter who chose anonymity and service.
The Symbolism of Her Journey
Usha’s life represents resilience. While she inherited a legacy of infamy, she built an identity far removed from it. Where Charles Sobhraj is remembered for betrayal and manipulation, Usha embodies duty, professionalism, and integrity.
This contrast raises an important point for readers: the children of notorious criminals are not destined to repeat history. Instead, like Usha, they can redefine their paths, standing as silent testaments to strength against the odds.
Conclusion
The question “Who is the Serpent’s daughter?” has a straightforward answer: Usha Sobhraj (later Usha Sutliff). But behind that name lies a story of strength, resilience, and deliberate distance from one of the world’s most notorious criminals.
As for her father, his life has been dramatized multiple times, from Bollywood’s Main Aur Charles to Netflix’s The Serpent, with actors such as Randeep Hooda, Tahar Rahim, Art Malik, and others bringing him to the screen.
Usha’s story, however, is about the quiet fight for normalcy in the shadow of infamy. She remains a figure of intrigue but also of inspiration — proof that one can rise above the weight of an infamous legacy.
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