TV Pioneer B.P. Singh, Creator of CID and Aahat, Passes Away

Veteran TV producer‑director Brijendra Pal Singh, creator of the long‑running crime series CID and the horror show Aahat, died on October 27, 2026, after suffering a massive heart attack. He began his career as a Doordarshan news cameraman in 1973 after graduating from FTII Pune, later working on programmes such as Ek Shunya Shunya before launching Aahat and, in 1998, CID, which ran for over two decades and became a staple for multiple generations.

What Happened

In 2004 CID filmed a 111‑minute episode in a single continuous shot, a record‑setting effort that Singh oversaw with cameraman Nitin Rao. He also appeared on‑screen as DCP Shamsher Singh Chitrole. From 2018 to 2020 Singh served as chairman of FTII and was linked with the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association.

Reaction

Actor Shivaji Satam, who portrayed ACP Pradyuman in CID, told Variety India that Singh taught him how to act for the camera and to be “larger than life” when needed. Satam recalled Singh returning to work three months after a cardiac operation, filming a jungle chase, and again six to seven months after a second surgery to design the record‑breaking episode. He said Singh deserved a Padma Shri but dismissed the honour, insisting the audience mattered most.

Context

Singh’s blend of thriller storytelling and technical innovation set a benchmark for Indian TV production, influencing later crime and horror series and establishing the single‑take format as a creative challenge for the industry.