‘There were children who were inspired to join the police force after watching CID,’ says CID Actor Aditya Srivastava

Mumbai: The classic crime drama CID has returned on Sony Entertainment Television, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia for many. The show that mesmerized viewers for over two decades is now airing every Saturday and Sunday at 10 PM on the channel,  and has brought back the iconic trio of Shivaji Satam, Aditya Srivastava, and Dayanand Shetty, who reprise their roles as ACP Pradyuman and Senior Inspectors Abhijeet and Daya, much to the delight of fans. In a candid interview, we catch up with Senior Inspector Abhijeet, aka Aditya Srivastava, who opens up about the evolution of his character, his experience filming the new season, and what fans can expect from this legendary show.

How do you feel about the show’s legacy and its impact on Indian television?
CID’s legacy is something I am incredibly proud of. It’s humbling to see how CID has formed a unique bond with the audience. The show’s impact is beyond just the cases we solved—it’s about the characters, the relationships, and the way we connected with viewers. Over the years, CID became a household name, the iconic characters and those unforgettable dialogues became ingrained in the minds of the audience. It’s this kind of cultural imprint that shows the true power of the show.

What emotions did you feel as the first episode of the new season aired? Did it bring back memories of the earlier days?
It's hard to put into words, but seeing CID return to the screen after such a long break was an emotional moment for all of us, it was like reconnecting with an old friend. As we aired the first episode, I couldn’t help but think about how much the show has evolved, but at the same time, it stayed true to its roots. It was also heartwarming to see the new generation of viewers connecting with the show, making its return even more special.

Was it easy to slip back into the role of Abhijeet after the hiatus, or did you have to rediscover certain aspects of the character?
It’s a character that has been etched into my mind, body, and soul. The love and admiration that Inspector Abhijeet has received over the years has been truly rewarding. When I returned to the role, it didn’t feel like I was getting back into character after a break; it just felt like we shot an episode yesterday, and now we’re back on set to shoot another one.

How do you feel about CID appealing to both its original audience and a new generation of viewers?
Our entire team has tirelessly worked with one goal in mind—to entertain everyone; whether it's a grandparent watching the show with his grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, friends or housewives, everyone should be able to sit together and enjoy the show. For Gen-Z, we’re trying to incorporate new words, ideas, and styles of presentation, and we hope they appreciate it. Our entire team is aware and understands that times have changed, tastes have evolved, and a new audience has emerged. We’re doing everything we can to adapt to new preferences, while staying true to our core values.

Fans of CID have always appreciated the deep bond between your character, Abhijeet, and Daya. Can we expect more of those iconic moments between you two?
I have seen him from the very beginning, his growth as an actor. I have watched him evolve, and he is so natural. It’s fun working with him, and the friendship we have on screen is the same off-screen. We are like family; all of us have been together for 20 years on this show. The reason we’ve stayed together for so long is because we like being with each other. We enjoy spending time together. We are all sincere about our work, and none of us care about stardom. We are dedicated to our work and respect each other. That’s why we have been able to stay a team for so long.

CID has an incredibly loyal fanbase. Has there been any messages or reactions from fans that is still close to your heart?
There are many people, especially children, who would tell us during the show that after watching CID, they were inspired to join the police force. We introduced a lot of people to forensics, something that the common public didn’t know much about. Many children developed an interest in forensic science and later pursued it, enrolling in forensic science programs. There are also times when our image gets blurred, and fans think we actually work in the police department. There have been occasions when people reach out to us for help with personal issues or incidents, asking us to solve them. I had an incident once at Delhi airport where a woman came to me saying her purse was stolen and asked for help. I told her that what we do on the show is different from reality, but I helped her by suggesting she check the CCTV cameras, as her purse might be found there. I also advised her to file a report, since everything was being recorded on the CCTV. So, I’ve helped in those kinds of situations too.