BP Singh, Creator of CID and Aahat, Dies at 77

Brijendra Pal Singh, known as BP Singh, the creator of India's longest-running crime series CID and the horror show Aahat, passed away on October 27, 2026, at age 77 due to a heart attack. Singh died early in the morning in Mumbai, with his death confirmed by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit on social media. The veteran producer-director's sudden death sent shockwaves through the Indian television industry, prompting widespread tributes from colleagues and actors.

Singh was a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, where he enrolled in 1973. He began his career as a news cameraman at Doordarshan before transitioning to television production. CID, which premiered in 1998, became one of India's most celebrated crime investigation series, running for 20 years and building a loyal audience through its investigations and distinctive storytelling. The show featured Shivaji Satam as ACP Pradyuman, Aditya Srivastava as Inspector Abhijeet, and Dayanand Shetty as Inspector Daya. A notable achievement came in 2004 when the production team filmed a 111-minute episode in a single continuous take, earning international recognition. Singh also created Aahat, a horror series that first aired in 1995 and became a fixture in Indian households. His other television projects included Ek Shunya Shunya, Gutur Gu, Hum Ne Li Hai Shapath, and SuperCops Vs Super Villains. Singh served as chairman of FTII from 2018 to 2020.

Actors and industry figures who worked with Singh attended his funeral on October 28 and shared their memories of him as a mentor and craftsman. Shivaji Satam described Singh's death as "the biggest chapter of my life is over," reflecting on their decades-long professional relationship. Dayanand Shetty, who said Singh was like a godfather to him, recalled working with him for 28–30 years and learning both as an artist and as a person. Ashwini Kalsekar became emotional while remembering Singh as her "guru," crediting him with teaching her the fundamentals of on-screen performance and technique. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit praised Singh's mastery of the thriller genre and his command over storytelling, noting that despite his international recognition, Singh remained humble and let his work speak for itself.

Ravi Jhankal and Sunil Pal also expressed their grief, with Sunil Pal recalling Singh's down-to-earth nature. The legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was known to be a huge fan of CID and had invited the entire cast to her home for meals; she reportedly demanded the show be brought back after it concluded. Singh's contributions to Indian television—building the foundation for crime thrillers and horror content—left a lasting impact on the industry. His last rites were performed at Oshiwara Crematorium in Jogeshwari on October 28.