Shivaji Satam Reacts to His ‘CID’ Character ACP Pradyuman’s Rumored Exit
Mumbai, April 4, 2025 – Veteran actor Shivaji Satam, the face of ACP Pradyuman in the iconic Indian crime series CID, has finally addressed swirling rumors about his character’s potential departure from the show. Speaking to Mid-Day on Friday while on vacation, the 74-year-old dismissed speculation of an imminent exit, saying, “I am personally not aware if the character will be exiting the show or not. Currently, I am enjoying a nice long holiday and have not been informed about any future shooting for CID.” His comments come amid reports that the show’s makers plan to kill off ACP Pradyuman in a dramatic bomb blast storyline, leaving fans of the 27-year-old series reeling.
A Shocking Twist in Season 2
The buzz began Thursday when India Today reported that upcoming episodes of CID Season 2, relaunched in December 2024 on Sony TV and Netflix, would see ACP Pradyuman meet a tragic end. Sources claimed the notorious villain Barbosa, played by Tigmanshu Dhulia, would detonate a bomb targeting the CID team, with Pradyuman as the sole casualty. “The team recently shot the episode, which will go on air in a few days,” a source told the outlet, noting the secrecy around the plot twist intended to stun viewers. The report fueled fan outcry, given Satam’s portrayal of the stern, finger-pointing ACP since the show’s 1998 debut has made him a cultural icon, immortalized in memes like “Daya, darwaza tod do.”
Satam, however, remained noncommittal. “If at all there is any truth to these rumors, it will be soon announced by the channel,” he told Mid-Day, deferring to Sony, which owns CID. In a separate chat with The Times of India Friday, he elaborated, “I have no clue about this… I have taken a break for some time and the makers know what lies ahead. Whether my track will be revived or not is something the makers know well.” His ambiguity has only deepened the mystery around ACP Pradyuman’s fate.
A Legacy Under Threat?
CID, India’s longest-running TV crime drama, aired for 20 years until 2018, clocking over 1,500 episodes with Satam as its linchpin alongside Dayanand Shetty (Daya) and Aditya Srivastava (Abhijeet). Its 2024 revival rode a wave of nostalgia, but Season 2’s ratings have lagged—grabbing a 0.8 TVR in BARC’s Week 2, ranking 28th—prompting speculation that a major shakeup like Pradyuman’s exit could be a bid to jolt viewership. Fans on X aren’t buying it: “CID was made for Shivaji sir—he is the show,” one wrote, while another pleaded, “Nahi jayege woh kahin—apne ghar se family ko kaise chod sakta hai?”
Satam himself has hinted at fatigue with repetitive roles, telling Hindustan Times in 2022, “It’s my bad luck that no powerful characters are being written.” Yet, his love for ACP Pradyuman endures. In December 2024, he told Times of India, “I missed playing ACP Pradyuman and connecting with audiences again… the essence of my character still stays the same.” His current break—timed for a May holiday with his son visiting from abroad—suggests a personal pause, not a permanent goodbye, though he added, “If my track is over, I am okay with it.”
What’s Next for CID?
The bomb blast plot, if true, would mark a seismic shift. Hindustan Herald reported auditions for a new ACP are underway, with producers eyeing a fresh face to fill Satam’s shoes—a tall order given his legacy. Past CID twists have seen characters return from the dead, leaving hope for a Pradyuman revival, but Satam’s nonchalance and the makers’ silence keep fans on edge. “The show has given me a lot,” he told The Times of India. “As of now, I am just taking a break and am going to enjoy my life.”
As Trump’s tariffs roil markets and sports heroes like Ronaldo shine, Satam’s reaction—or lack thereof—leaves CID’s future murky. Will ACP Pradyuman’s exit be the end of an era, or a dramatic detour? For now, the man who made “Kuch toh gadbad hai” a household phrase is savoring his holiday, letting Sony call the shots.
