Oct 27, 2026 5:19pm IST
Shivaji Satam Pays Tribute to ‘CID’ Creator B. P. Singh: ‘The Biggest Chapter of My Life is Over’
The death of “CID” creator and director B. P. Singh has left veteran actor Shivaji Satam, who played ACP Pradyuman on the show, mourning the loss of a longtime collaborator and friend. Satam opens up about their decades-long partnership, Singh’s unyielding dedication to his craft, and the extraordinary human behind television's longest-running crime drama.
For Satam, Singh was a mentor who bridged the gap between stage and screen. The actor says, “The biggest chapter of my life is over today. He was a great man, a great friend. I learned everything from him. I came from theatre. I knew how to act on stage. But B. P. Singh taught me how to deliver in front of the camera, how to be larger than life when required. He explained magnification so well. He was a wonderful teacher."
Related Stories
Satam highlights Singh’s resilience, recalling the world-record 111-minute single-shot episode of CID while he recovered from major health setbacks. He shares, “Only three months after undergoing cardiac surgery, Singh was running around with a camera in a jungle, shooting a chase sequence. Six-seven months later, after a second surgery, he designed a 111-minute single-shot episode. He guided Nitin Rao, the cameraman, holding him through it all.”
Popular on Variety
Behind the cameras, their bond ran deep. Like any long-standing partnership, they had their share of disagreements, but their mutual affection remained unshakable. "In friendships, there are misunderstandings and fights, but it never went beyond that. He was there in all seasons of my life too. Our relationship cannot be narrowed down to one thing. He was an amazing, wonderful friend, and a friend who taught me so much."
Reflecting on Singh’s contribution to Indian television, Satam said, “A man like him should be given a Padma Shri. But he never bothered about that. He'd say, 'Leave it, what difference is that going to make? Our audience is there, right?' The audience is still there. It's a big achievement."
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.