After gracing the Indian television for more than 20 years, the most popular crime drama series CID aired its last episode recently. Some of the actors of the series shared their experiences with this writer.

From television to smartphones, we have come a long way since the 1990s. But one thing that has remained constant is the CID series, for over 20 years. It isn’t just the show that has ruled the hearts, but also inspired innumerable memes that ruled the internet since they went viral. CID became a household term and almost a substitute for the cops or the police. Saying ‘CID ko bulao (Call the CID.)’ was commonplace.

It recently aired its last episode after being the longest running show on the Indian television on October 27. There are children from the 90s who still reminisce binge-watching the show for the whole day.

Actor Rajeev Khandelwal, who was a part of the show’s anniversary edition in 2006, starring in five episodes as ACP Prithviraj, shared, “The show has been one of the original Indian drama which went on to become a cult series. I am sure it will leave the followers and the makers a bit emotional after such a long and successful run. I too have an emotional connect with the show as I was invited to be a part of one of its anniversary celebrations and replace the irreplaceable ACP Pradyuman for five special episodes. I want to congratulate all the actors of CID and dear BP Singh (sir) for doing what nobody else could — having a cult status for almost two decades.”

The show’s genre of suspense and curiosity isn’t the sole reason for its enormous audience, but also its very originality as it was one of the first shows on Indian television that had crime and punishment at its centre. It was a medium for youngsters and even adults to know about how a police department functions.

The most common response from a group of adults between the age of 22-30 years, who probably were kids when the show first aired, said that CID was one of the premiere ways that they learned about how an investigation takes place. The concept of ‘police’ and serving in such investigation bureaus became a dream for many young men and women.

From “Daya darwaza tod do,” to “Kuch toh gadbad hai,” and “Pata lagao ki yeh khoon kisne kiya hai,” became not only some entertaining trolls, rather phrases used in the common conversations.

Not just the audience, but as well for the stars, who have been a part of the show, the show has been a great learning and memorable experience.

Actor Dayanand Shetty, commonly known as Daya, who is famous for breaking uncountable doors at the show, said that he has been grateful for the show and all the experiences it has given to him. He said, “When it came to an end, of course we felt sad. Getting associated with so many talented people, we saw so many things, had so many experiences, worked with such great artists that it was an honour.

People like Shivaji Satam, Aditya Srivastava, Narendra Gupta, our Pankaj ji, Tarika, and all the other people who have been associated with us in all these 21 years, we have definitely learnt something from each one of them. Now that the show isn’t there anymore, we feel sad but we thank our fans because of whom we could last for so long. The people born in the 90s or the youngsters during the time have spent their weekends watching the show. It has really impacted their minds in a great way. Even today they want to keep watching the show.”

There is a message that the show has always been trying to give to its viewers. Both, actor Shivaji Satam aka ACP Pradyuman and Daya, agreed to the same, “We gave out the message that truth always wins and there is no place for crime in our society. No matter how much you plan before committing a crime, you will be caught eventually. It’s like a ramleela, all the burayi and crime is killed from the society just like Raavan.”

Actress Jayati Bhatia, who has been a part of the show for three episodes, also has deep and great memories from the show, as she called the show “a history.”

She said, “I wish this news wasn’t true. All the aspiring actors who had come to Mumbai during the late 90s, have been a part of CID. It was a saving grace to new actors because it came as a platform to exhibit our talent. It was a great place to learn under BP Singh sir. He actually used to make the dialogues rehearse in exactly the same way they are written. You needed to be really focussed and prepared because there were many long scenes done together because he used to handle the camera himself. If you were not well prepared , he would really actually scold you as he was strict. But I would always get a pat on my back, thankfully. (Laughs)”

She called it “an excellent team.” She added, “I have done three episodes of CID and Daya still remembers about those episodes. And not just those, he remembers every episode done by guest actors. I would really miss the golden memories from CID. It is history. They can surely take a break, but we just don’t want to lose it.”

Writer: Chahak Mittal

Courtesy: The Pioneer

After gracing the Indian television for more than 20 years, the most popular crime drama series CID aired its last episode recently. Some of the actors of the series shared their experiences with this writer.

From television to smartphones, we have come a long way since the 1990s. But one thing that has remained constant is the CID series, for over 20 years. It isn’t just the show that has ruled the hearts, but also inspired innumerable memes that ruled the internet since they went viral. CID became a household term and almost a substitute for the cops or the police. Saying ‘CID ko bulao (Call the CID.)’ was commonplace.

It recently aired its last episode after being the longest running show on the Indian television on October 27. There are children from the 90s who still reminisce binge-watching the show for the whole day.

Actor Rajeev Khandelwal, who was a part of the show’s anniversary edition in 2006, starring in five episodes as ACP Prithviraj, shared, “The show has been one of the original Indian drama which went on to become a cult series. I am sure it will leave the followers and the makers a bit emotional after such a long and successful run. I too have an emotional connect with the show as I was invited to be a part of one of its anniversary celebrations and replace the irreplaceable ACP Pradyuman for five special episodes. I want to congratulate all the actors of CID and dear BP Singh (sir) for doing what nobody else could — having a cult status for almost two decades.”

The show’s genre of suspense and curiosity isn’t the sole reason for its enormous audience, but also its very originality as it was one of the first shows on Indian television that had crime and punishment at its centre. It was a medium for youngsters and even adults to know about how a police department functions.

The most common response from a group of adults between the age of 22-30 years, who probably were kids when the show first aired, said that CID was one of the premiere ways that they learned about how an investigation takes place. The concept of ‘police’ and serving in such investigation bureaus became a dream for many young men and women.

From “Daya darwaza tod do,” to “Kuch toh gadbad hai,” and “Pata lagao ki yeh khoon kisne kiya hai,” became not only some entertaining trolls, rather phrases used in the common conversations.

Not just the audience, but as well for the stars, who have been a part of the show, the show has been a great learning and memorable experience.

Actor Dayanand Shetty, commonly known as Daya, who is famous for breaking uncountable doors at the show, said that he has been grateful for the show and all the experiences it has given to him. He said, “When it came to an end, of course we felt sad. Getting associated with so many talented people, we saw so many things, had so many experiences, worked with such great artists that it was an honour.

People like Shivaji Satam, Aditya Srivastava, Narendra Gupta, our Pankaj ji, Tarika, and all the other people who have been associated with us in all these 21 years, we have definitely learnt something from each one of them. Now that the show isn’t there anymore, we feel sad but we thank our fans because of whom we could last for so long. The people born in the 90s or the youngsters during the time have spent their weekends watching the show. It has really impacted their minds in a great way. Even today they want to keep watching the show.”

There is a message that the show has always been trying to give to its viewers. Both, actor Shivaji Satam aka ACP Pradyuman and Daya, agreed to the same, “We gave out the message that truth always wins and there is no place for crime in our society. No matter how much you plan before committing a crime, you will be caught eventually. It’s like a ramleela, all the burayi and crime is killed from the society just like Raavan.”

Actress Jayati Bhatia, who has been a part of the show for three episodes, also has deep and great memories from the show, as she called the show “a history.”

She said, “I wish this news wasn’t true. All the aspiring actors who had come to Mumbai during the late 90s, have been a part of CID. It was a saving grace to new actors because it came as a platform to exhibit our talent. It was a great place to learn under BP Singh sir. He actually used to make the dialogues rehearse in exactly the same way they are written. You needed to be really focussed and prepared because there were many long scenes done together because he used to handle the camera himself. If you were not well prepared , he would really actually scold you as he was strict. But I would always get a pat on my back, thankfully. (Laughs)”

She called it “an excellent team.” She added, “I have done three episodes of CID and Daya still remembers about those episodes. And not just those, he remembers every episode done by guest actors. I would really miss the golden memories from CID. It is history. They can surely take a break, but we just don’t want to lose it.”

Writer: Chahak Mittal

Courtesy: The Pioneer