Daya dies yet again as 'CID' returns to screen

Indian crime series will be back this winter

Calling all those who are in need of a fresh dose of nostalgia! As per Hindustan Times, famous Indian crime series CID is gracing television once more this winter after its series finale in the fall of 2018. Led by Shivaji Satam as ACP Pradyuman, the serial first aired in 1998 and has since attracted a warm reception for its memorable characters and the tirelessly effective reuse of plot elements.

The promo, unveiled by Sony Entertainment on October 26, easily takes back its long-time audience on a wistful trip. True to form, the scene opens against a dramatic backdrop of both a waterfall and a thunderstorm, depicting popular characters Abhijeet (Aditya Srivastava) and Daya (Dayanand Shetty) in an angsty showdown.

As the two stand bruised and bloodied from a mysterious struggle, a teary-eyed Abhijeet aims his pistol at friend-turned-foe Daya, who taunts him to open fire. Abhijeet takes the shot, its impact subjecting his cliff-stranded opponent to a deathly fall, as Pradyuman wails in agony in the background.

"The story hasn't ended for those whose name is all it takes," the narrator ominously adds. For the unversed, although this may seem like a gruesome tone to set, every CID fan knows that this is merely the beginning for the beloved characters.

It is a universally acknowledged fact by now that Daya never dies, though how he could possibly survive both the incredible fall and the injury is a mystery enough to rouse anticipation. We know he's coming back; the fun is in finding out what lengths the creators will go to explain his revival.

Set in Mumbai, the 20-year-old show is one of the longest-running serials in the history of Indian television. While it puts a handful of unforgettable characters under the spotlight, it is no stranger to the inclusion of a large number of cast members, all playing the roles of characters holding different designations within the crime-fighting agency.

"I'm so thrilled my childhood is making a return!" exclaimed a fan on YouTube. "Wow, CID is back again! I'm a big fan of Abhijeet," wrote a fan on Instagram. While the comments section under various announcement posts on Instagram were flooded with love, many were quick to bring attention to a heartbreaking reminder.

"We won but at what cost? We lost the most loving and funniest character in CID, that is Freddy sir," lamented a fan. In December of 2023, fans were met with the shocking demise of Dinesh Phadnis, who portrayed the jovial and recurring role of Inspector Freddy. Although both the character and actor will be deeply missed, the show's return has rekindled joy in the hearts of many.