Did you rush home from school and sit in front of the television to watch C.I.D.? Or did you tune in to Sony TV as soon as you arrived at your maternal uncle’s house during holidays? If you did, then you are most likely a part of Generation Z (born between 1990 and 2010).
The crime, suspense, and thriller genre of C.I.D. made it a beloved television show not only among millions of Indians but also among Nepalese audiences. The show’s characters, such as ACP Pradyuman (Shivaji Satam), Senior Inspector Daya (Dayanand Shetty), Abhijeet (Aditya Srivastava), Dr. Salunkhe (Narendra Gupta), Inspector Purvi (Ansha Sayed), Shreya (Janvi Chheda), and Fredericks (Dinesh Phadnis), gained immense popularity due to their distinctive roles.
In the world of detective television series, these characters became so beloved that some viewers even believed them to be real detectives.
In an interesting revelation, Dr. Salunkhe once shared in a podcast interview with Indian YouTube content creator Laksh Maheshwari that he was once invited by a forensic college as a guest lecturer.
“I only played the role of a forensic expert in the show, but people believed I was a real doctor,” he said. “Even when I clarified this to the college officials, they didn’t believe me, and eventually, I had to speak at the event.”
Narendra Gupta’s mother had wished for him to become a doctor, but he wanted to be an actor. Eventually, through his on-screen role, he fulfilled both his mother’s wish and his own dream. His portrayal of a forensic expert helped many people learn about forensic science and the importance of evidence.
According to him, in the years following C.I.D.’s launch, several colleges reported an increase in students enrolling in forensic science due to the influence of the show.
The dialogues and unique styles of C.I.D. characters left a deep impact on the audience. Senior Inspector Daya became famous as the officer who could break down any door, with ACP Pradyuman’s iconic line, “Daya, darwaza tod do!” (Daya, break the door!), becoming the subject of countless memes.
Abhijeet was known for his sharp intellect and ability to understand the criminal mindset, while Fredericks added a touch of humor to the otherwise serious investigations.
C.I.D., one of India’s most popular television shows, suddenly went off the air on October 27, 2018, after airing over 1,500 episodes.
Though the exact reason for the show’s discontinuation was never revealed, C.I.D.’s TRP (Television Rating Point) remained so high that Sony TV continued airing old episodes and uploading them on YouTube for six years after production stopped.
In recent episodes, modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, have been introduced into the storylines. Many viewers on YouTube have been requesting the return of the show. Eventually, after nearly six years, C.I.D. returned with a new episode on December 21, 2024. Even before the promo was released, anticipation had already built up due to a series of interviews given by the show’s actors.
For millions of fans, C.I.D. Season 2 was a wave of nostalgia. However, when the promo showed Abhijeet shooting Daya, curiosity among the audience skyrocketed.
As soon as C.I.D. 2.0 premiered, it brought joy to fans, but some aspects felt lacking. During its prime, C.I.D. dominated discussions at a time when thriller shows were limited on television.
When DP Singh (sometimes seen as DCP Chitrole in C.I.D.) first conceptualized the show and pitched it to Sony TV, network executives initially rejected the idea, arguing that a thriller series wouldn’t be suitable for a family-oriented channel.
However, once C.I.D. aired, it became an instant hit, dominating India’s television rating points (TRP). Its success led other television networks to start producing detective series of their own.
But times have changed. Now, top-tier detective films and series are widely available on OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. If the new episodes of C.I.D. fail to meet these evolving expectations, it may struggle to maintain its former glory. After all, any creation that loses its relevance with time is bound to become history.
However, the good news is that the writers and directors of the new season are attempting to introduce fresh storylines. Perhaps this is why, after a few episodes aired on Sony TV, C.I.D. also started trending on Netflix’s OTT platform.
Before going off the air, C.I.D. had reached a point where its episodes lacked fresh storytelling. Viewers could predict the culprit within the first few minutes.
But now, the new episodes have been designed to be less predictable. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic worldwide, yet South Asian films and series have rarely explored it.
Recently, Netflix released CTRL, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, which explores how AI misuse can disrupt personal lives.
The latest episodes of C.I.D. also incorporate technology-driven narratives. For example, in Season 2, Episode 18, titled Mechanical Trap, an advanced AI chatbot system called “Grihani” is misused to kill its own creator.
This episode highlights how AI can be exploited for serious crimes, showing that while technology makes life easier, its misuse can lead people into its trap.
While the picture quality is significantly improved compared to the past, some plot elements don’t feel entirely logical. For instance, in the first season, Abhijeet was portrayed as a sharp shooter, yet in the second season’s first episode, his shot at Daya “misses,” which seems inconsistent with his established character.
Additionally, the idea that the daughter for whom he shot Daya had been secretly swapped with another lookalike before an explosion feels somewhat unconvincing.
The show has also tried to reintroduce comedic elements through Sub-Inspector Pankaj (Ajay Nagrath), though the absence of the late Fredericks is noticeable.
Dr. Tarika (Shraddha Musale), who was paired with Abhijeet in the first season, is also missing. The production team has introduced a new forensic doctor, along with two new sub-inspectors, Viraj and Abhni.
Overall, looking at the episodes aired so far, ACP Pradyuman’s dialogue from Sniper Rifle Murder comes to mind:
“Even though I’ve returned after six years, my intelligence remains the same—unstoppable!”
Despite some minor flaws, the newly aired episodes of C.I.D. feel just as thrilling as the first season. However, now that the show has made its way to Netflix, the biggest challenge for its writers, producers, and directors will be maintaining its status as a family-friendly show suitable for all age groups.
