From Shivaji Satam working as a cashier for 23 years before becoming an actor to Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle being huge fans of the show; Interesting revelations about iconic show CID

CID was one of the longest-running and most popular crime detective shows in Indian television history. CID first premiered on January 21, 1998, and continued captivating audiences for over two decades. The show remains a cherished memory for millions of fans who followed the adventures of its dedicated detectives over the years. Recently, the team of CID made some interesting revelations about the show during an Podcast interview. From sharing Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle's love for their show to revealing an interesting fact about ACP Pradyuman aka Shivaji Satam, the team touched upon many unknown topics. (Photo: Instagram)

Dayanand Shetty: CID is the brainchild of BP Singh sir but before CID, he had made a popular Marathi 100 which was again a cult detective series. Apart from this, he had written many other stories but none of his stories were getting approved or selected. In 1992, he shot the pilot episode of CID with Shivaji Satam as ACP Pradyuman. He had a different team around him and we were not part of it. He shot 8 pilot episodes and pitched them to many channels but was rejected. In 1995, Sony TV approved Aahat (the horror show). It was a very popular show and had great TRP ratings. (Photo: Instagram)

Dayanand Shetty: During those days the channel and BP Singh were on very good terms. So he pitched the pilot episodes again but they were very reluctant. So it went on the back burner but by 1997, the show got approved and by 1998 January we went on-air. So the first episode that went on-air was on January 28. So CID took 6-7 years to get approved but the rest is history. It went on-air for 21 years.(Photo: Instagram)

Aditya Srivastava: These things were especially taken care of and kept in mind. BP Singh sir was very particular and he wanted everyone from the family to watch the show from grandparents to grandchildren. He never wanted any awkward or uncomfortable moments when a family is watching the show. Kids were our target audience and it was particularly taken care that we didn't show any crime as it was dinner time also. The writers were told don't write anything when a child watches it, he has questions and he asks his father an awkward question. We were told to be very careful. It was very tough to maintain that in 1500.(Photo: Instagram)

Aditya Srivastava: We had a very solid team of writers. It was led by BP Singh sir. We had Sriram Raghavan and Sridhar Raghavan, Rajat Arora, Pranali Baruah, Santosh Shetty. Freddy (Dinesh Phadnis). He had very good story ideas.(Photo: Instagram)

Dayanand: Shivaji Satam was a cashier in a bank for 23 years. Most of the Marathi actors are from a banking background. They used to work the entire day in a bank and in the evening they would do theatre. It was their favourite pastime. They would participate in an inter-bank competition. They know each other well because of this reason. CID was conceived for Mr Satam. (Photo: Instagram)

Narendra Gupta: BP sir had clearly mentioned that if Shivaji Satam is not doing the show, it won’t happen. I won’t make it. They worked in Ek Shunya Shunya and they were old friends. There was a time when Kaun Banega Crorepati went on-air but we had a better rating than theirs. It was better than Indian Idol and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu thi. (Photo: Instagram)

Aditya Srivastava: I was doing movies a lot during those days and had done Satya as Inspector Khandilkar. That film ended my identity crisis for me as everyone started to recognise me. Singh Sahab had watched that film and he wanted me to do CID. I was acting pricey that time but then I agreed to do it. I had put a condition that I would only do 26 episodes. I was busy with movies and television and had a longer commitment. So I had requested this but I never knew that it would be such a longer association. (Photo: Instagram)

Aditya Srivastava: Sridhar Raghavan had written and he approached me as I had worked with his brother Sriram. I didn’t want to be a cop so they cast me as a criminal but I didn’t know that I will play a cop later on in the same show. Kisko pata tha aisa cop banunga ke chaap he lag jaayegi. It is a journey from criminal to cop. (Photo: Instagram)

Narendra Gupta: I was a struggling actor and was new in the industry. I was called for an episode of Aahat and I met Shivaji sir there. He was also doing the same. After a long time I was called for CID to play a doctor. I was scared of playing a doctor as I had done a series on Doordarshan Life Line. I had this thought in mind that doctors don’t have a part in shows. I told I don’t want to play a doctor. BP Singh sir said he is a forensic doctor. I had no idea about it, I was completely unaware. When I met and he made him understand I realised it was a brilliant role. (Photo: Instagram)

Narendra Gupta: I am fortunate that many universities started to have a forensic department because of CID. I get messages on Twitter that they want to be Dr Salunkhe. Vishal Furya made a film Forensic and he called me asking to do a role in his film and play his lead Vikrant Massey’s mentor. Then Vishal made me speak to someone who runs a forensic institute in Delhi and he wanted me to speak to his students. He invited me to attend an online seminar as his students asked for the same. (Photo: Instagram)

Dayanand Shetty: The writers Sriram Raghavan, Sridhar and BP Singh were ahead of time. They wrote stories which had things which were very innovative. Like the Narco analysis test, in 1999-2000 we used it in one of the episodes. 3D printers are now a thing but we had shown them in our episodes in 2000. Only this show had an authentic forensic. (Photo: Instagram)

Dayanand Shetty: Lata didi and Asha Didi were huge fans of CID and they would watch the repeat telecast for the whole day. She was dedicated towards the show and she was very fond of photography. So she would click our close ups and would send us. Everyday she would send at least five or six photos. Even when the show went off-air she and her family members called everyone in Sony to bring back the show. She even called the US head office of Sony TV to bring back our show. She told them 'this is my favourite show and why did you shut it down'. She fought tooth and nail. (Photo: Instagram)