BP Singh: From CID Creator to FTII Chairman via ACP Pradyuman

Thanks BP Singh, CID has saved Mumbai, India, and occasionally planet Earth from villains of all shapes and sizes.

(Photo: The Quint/ Erum Gour/ Shruti Mathur)

This piece was originally published on 23 October and is being reposted after Brijendra Pal Singh, creator of popular crime series C.I.D, was appointed as FTII chairman.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has nominated current Vice Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Brijendra Pal Singh as the new President of the FTII Society and Chairman of Governing Council.

What kind of jokes does Daya hate?

Ans: knock-knock jokes.

If you got that joke then you must read on. If you did not get the joke then “kuchh toh gadbad hain Daya”.

BP Singh, apart from creator and producer of CID has also played the recurring character of DCP Chitrole. Die-hard fans of the show will point to the theory that it is Chitrole and NOT the ACP who deserves all the plaudits for CID’s consistent track record of busitng crimes and heinous villains. The tweet below illustrates this point.

When the first episode CID aired in 1997, Virat Kohli was nine years old, Prithvi Shaw was yet to be born, and Karan Johar was a year away from releasing Kuch Kuch Hota Hain. The Sensex was hovering in the 3000s and Shankarsinh Vaghela of Rashtriya Janata Party was Chief Minister of Gujarat. Rashtriya Janata what? Exactly. 

While many who have grown up with CID moved on as they grew older, the show, nonetheless, has continued to save Mumbai, India and occasionally even planet Earth (yes, from killer meteors). While many have pointed to the fact that ACP Pradyuman & co have not received promotions in 20 years, they have not let that dampen their morale. Our desi detectives continue to fight some of the craziest, most notorious and evil baddies on television.

Here’s a look at 5 of the most insane villains that the CID has had to encounter in recent times.

CID vs The Joker

Yes, that’s right. In what is an episode for the history books of Indian television, ACP Pradyuman and team brought out their A-Game in this one. However, sometimes even the CID need a little help from friends. Hence, in comes Singham. Yes, Bajirao Singham aka Ajay Devgn.

Desi Joker > Videshi Joker

Our desi joker works in a mechanic shop, but with butcher knives, and narrates the same “Let’s put a smile on that face” backstory about his scars.

Episode: CID Mein Singham

Gamer Pradyuman vs Video Game Villain

Fantasykolu is the villain of a popular game called “Death of Ocean”. However, anyone who plays the game ends up dead.

CID came up with over a thousand episodes but this one ranks among the best. We see ACP’s gamer avatar as he challenges a video-game villain to a one-on-one video-game duel.

Needless to say, ACP’s thunder-thumbs rock the controller as he whoops Fantasykolu’s virtual posterior in real life.

Episode: Raaz Khooni Laash Ka

“Thunder Thumbs” Pradyuman duels dreaded video game villain Fantasykolu

CID vs Khooni Laash

Yep, folks – death kills.

Literally.

Legend has it that Sherlock and Byomkesh stood up for a slow trembling salute to team CID for solving this seemingly unsolvable mystery. How does a dead body commit a murder?

Question is, is it murder if a dead person commits it?

Dr Tarika performing chill forensics of “khooni laash”.

Pretty sure this plot falls in the “seen this somewhere” category but it would be unfair to deny credit where credit is due. #RigorMortis

Episode: Raaz Khooni Laash Ka

ACP Pradyuman vs ACP Pradyuman

An episode that has divided CID connoisseurs bitterly. While some consider this a modern classic, others feel betrayed by its anti-climactic feel.

Without giving too much away, all we can say is that ACP is accused, by Abhijeet, of aiding and abetting a terrorist, and also manages to get shot, get lost and get back.

Sachin and Fredricks, in their free time, try to revive a seemingly dead ACP Pradyuman

Abhijeet confronts ACP in this one and orders Daya to slap their boss. Everyone goes “whaaa” and jaws drop in free-fall. Moments later, a bullet pierces through ACP’s crisp suit.

However, he emerges in the end in a disguise and saves the day because he is also a master of the arts and craft. This episode clearly has a lot to unpack.

ACP Pradyuman is a master of disguise

Episode: ACP Pradyuman Giraftaar

Pradyuman Sr VS Pradyuman Jr

What’s worse for ACP Pradyuman than being accused of terrorism and murder? Facing his own son who happens to be one of the most boss villains on the show.

Nakul Pradyuman, ACP Pradyuman’s son, is a wanted criminal across continents.

Nakul Pradyuman is a recurring villain who escapes the country despite being shot by his old man. ACP’s son is no small fry. He has masterminded criminal operations including blasts, smuggling, and general evil things across dozens of countries.

ACP Doesn’t care if Nakul is his son. Here he is doing his sworn duty.

It takes a Pradyuman to catch a Pradyuman.