CID creator B. P. Singh dies at 77; Shivaji Satam says, ‘The biggest chapter of my life is over’

Mumbai: Brijendra Pal Singh, popularly known as B. P. Singh, the creator-director behind the television crime series CID and horror show Aahat, died on October 27. He was 77. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said in a social media post that Singh died after suffering a heart attack early in the morning.

Actors from CID, filmmakers and the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association paid tribute to him. Singh helped establish a distinct style of crime, suspense and horror storytelling on Indian television.

Shivaji Satam says the biggest chapter of his life is over

Shivaji Satam, who played ACP Pradyuman in CID, told Variety India, “The biggest chapter of my life is over today. He was a great man, a great friend. I learned everything from him.”

Satam said he came from theatre and knew stage acting, but Singh taught him how to perform for the camera and become larger than life when a scene required it. He described Singh as a wonderful teacher and longtime friend.

Running through a jungle with a camera after surgery

Satam also recalled Singh's commitment to his craft. He said Singh was running through a jungle with a camera to film a chase sequence about three months after cardiac surgery. Six or seven months after a second surgery, he designed CID's 111-minute single-shot episode. NDTV also reported the account.

The episode was made in 2004 to mark CID's sixth anniversary and entered record books. Singh's command of camera work and production technology remained central to his filmmaking.

From Doordarshan cameraman to creator of CID

According to a CNBC-TV18 profile, Singh began working with Doordarshan as a news cameraman in 1973. He later moved to Mumbai and developed an interest in crime and investigative storytelling. His early projects included Doordarshan's detective series Ek Shunya Shunya.

CID premiered in 1998 and remained one of Indian television's most popular crime shows for more than two decades. ACP Pradyuman, Inspector Abhijeet and Inspector Daya became household names. Singh also appeared in the show as DCP Shamsher Singh Chitrole.

Aahat established his place in television horror

Aahat, which premiered in 1995, built its audience with suspense and supernatural stories. The success of CID and Aahat made Singh one of Indian television's most prominent producer-directors. His other projects included Khaaki and Abhay.

Ashoke Pandit remembers a close friend

Pandit called Singh an ace producer-director, a brilliant filmmaker and a dear friend. He said Singh's work through CID and Aahat would continue to inspire generations. Pandit also recalled their close association during Singh's tenure as president of IFTDA.

Dayanand Shetty told HT City that Singh had been unwell for some time and did not wake up on the morning of October 27. He remembered Singh as a deeply committed content creator and one of the best cameramen in the industry.

Singh's characters and stories will remain part of Indian television history. His camera work, direction and storytelling behind CID's investigations and Aahat's supernatural world will continue to be remembered.