C.I.D. (1998) is a series loved and hated by many for its place in the history of crime dramas.
C.I.D. took the world of TV crime dramas by storm, but with its problems of pacing and internal logic, it is fascinating to see how it developed into a system of logic that most crime shows adopt. It is worth a watch for those interested in crime dramas, as long as you can ignore its serious lack of structural integrity.
The Producer’s excellent cast
The performance of the cast elevates the show and of particular note is Shivaji Satam as ACP Pradyuman. The performances of the cast have given the characters a place in pop culture, bringing seriousness to dumb and ridiculous plots.
There are better cops-and-robbers shows out there. The show tries to cram too much filler to stretch an episode and while the tone is unique, the story continues to suffer from poor organization.
Fan service for the die hards
Though the show tries to be melodramatic, some of the writing saves it from too much cheese. While the dialogue is great, the show tries to fill time and inevitably ruins the flow with awful soap opera like storytelling.
These shortcomings notwithstanding, there is something undeniably appealing about the way the Crime Investigation Department maneuvers through the underworld of Mumbai. This show will appeal to people who like to watch characters they can recognize and who don’t mind a slight lack of creativity in plotline. If you are looking for complex and creative plots, look elsewhere.
C.I.D.: Ending Explained
(Spoiler Alert) With the Mumbai Crime Department, most of the plots in this series revolve around the triumph of institutional justice and a victory over individual evil, and as a result, the overall order and consistency of the department. By putting ACP Pradyuman and his team in the role of the moral judge and jury, the show tries to make its audience believe that in this world, the pursuit of the truth is not a linear line that can ever be completed, and that truth remains as it is. The end of these cases becomes the proof that peace, order, and justice can be restored in this world.
