CID TV SHOW: Revisiting India’s Longest-Running Crime Series
- Ravi Patel
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 19
Introduction
In December 2024, I decided to revisit an old crime show from my childhood, CID. What is CID? CID, short for Crime Investigation Department, is an Indian TV show that premiered in 1998. It follows ACP Pradyuman (Shivaji Satam), Inspector Abhijeet (Aditya Srivastava), Inspector Daya (Dayanand Shetty), and others as they uncover the truth behind crimes involving murders, kidnappings, drug rackets, robberies, and more. Although I rarely watched Indian shows as a kid, I have fond memories of watching CID. Now, I've chosen to revisit the show, believing it will bring me closer to my parents, who prefer Hindi shows, while I typically watch English ones. Today, I'll discuss my rewatch experience, highlight top episodes you should see, and explore the impact CID has had on me and Indian culture as a whole.
My Rewatch Experience
After months of watching CID, our household has been completely transformed. My parents and I seize every opportunity to mimic ACP Pradyuman's iconic "kuch to gadbad hai" (something is wrong), complete with his famous hand gesture, even when nothing is actually wrong. My dad is relentless in asking me to find the black shirts that Daya wears on the show. It's now a running joke whenever Daya appears in a black shirt, and I say, "Hey, look, it's your favorite shirt." From the hilarious arguments between ACP Pradyuman and Dr. Salunke (Narendra Gupta), to Abhijeet's awkward flirting attempts with Dr. Tarika (Shraddha Musale), and Daya's door-smashing antics, this show truly has it all.
Upon returning to CID, I realized that the show follows a linear storyline. Initially, I thought each episode was a standalone tale, but there's an overarching narrative that enriches the characters with a detailed backstory and history. Comparing the newer episodes to the older ones shows a noticeable change in tone, with more comedic elements and even romance. However, the creativity and variety of cases remain consistent across different eras of CID. I've found that the earlier episodes present more realistic cases. I'm excited to watch more episodes on the Sony Wah YouTube channel with English subtitles, where I've been enjoying the show alongside its new season on Netflix.
Top Episode Picks
Brief Summary: CID's informants are being murdered one after another, and the reason remains unknown, leading to a conflict between Daya and Abhijeet. Can they resolve their differences and apprehend the perpetrator?
Brief Summary: Fredricks invites the CID team to spend a holiday in his village. However, in this village, there is a boy who has witnessed some individuals committing sinister acts. Can Team CID locate this boy and unravel the mystery of that mysterious night?
Brief Summary: Abhijeet is shot and admitted to the ICU, where he encounters a somewhat anxious Dr. Sunil, who is about to operate on a case witness right before the witness is scheduled to appear in court.
Brief Summary: In extremely rare cases, there is a witness to a murder. This time, CID has a witness who is a young girl. However, the trauma was overwhelming for her, and she has been mute since the incident.
Brief Summary: During a performance, a comedian collapses and dies onstage. The CID discovered he was shot from the front, indicating the suspect was in the audience. However, forensic analysis also reveals he was poisoned.
Cultural Impact
One of CID's most iconic achievements was its groundbreaking 111-minute, one-shot episode (CID Episode 111: The Inheritance), a revolutionary feat in television. This episode, filmed in a single continuous shot, redefined the technical possibilities of Indian television and showcased the show's innovative storytelling. This single-take episode proudly holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous camera shot. Beyond its serious tone, CID became a rich source of memes and internet jokes, with lines like “Daya, darwaza tod do!” being parodied across platforms. Fans relished the exaggerated acting, dramatic moments, and classic detective tropes, transforming these elements into a cultural phenomenon.
Final Thoughts
Rewatching CID has significantly strengthened my bond with my parents. In the past, I would usually do my own thing and watch English shows, but now it has become a cherished nightly tradition to watch CID with my family whenever I'm home. My Hindi has also improved remarkably, as I absorb more by watching the show. If you haven't explored Hindi shows or are looking for a recommendation, I strongly suggest CID. The show's legacy remains powerful, and after being off the air for six years, it was renewed for a second season, available on Netflix. The timing of this blog post is incredible, given the latest episode's events. IYKYK. Even after all these years, CID's main cast—ACP Pradyuman (Shivaji Satam), Inspector Abhijeet (Aditya Srivastava), and Inspector Daya (Dayanand Shetty)—continues to be the heart of the show.
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