Brijendra Pal Singh, popularly known as BP Singh, has passed away at the age of 77. The veteran filmmaker was best known for creating and producing CID, one of the longest-running crime dramas in Indian television history.
A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Singh began his television career with Ek Shunya Shunya, a detective series that aired on Doordarshan. He later went on to create CID, which premiered in 1998 and eventually became one of Indian television’s most enduring shows. The crime drama featured Shivaji Satam as ACP Pradyuman, Aditya Srivastava as Inspector Abhijeet and Dayanand Shetty as Inspector Daya. Its memorable characters, investigative storylines and distinctive dialogue helped it build a loyal audience over the years. CID continued for more than two decades and marked its 20th anniversary in 2018. One of the show's most remarkable milestones came in 2014, when Singh filmed an episode in a single continuous shot lasting 111 minutes. The achievement earned recognition in the Limca Book of Records and became one of the series' most memorable accomplishments.
Speaking to HT City, Dayanand Shetty, who became a household name for playing Inspector Daya in the series, remembered Singh as a dedicated and passionate professional.
“BP Singh ji had no other life, other than making content. He was dedicated to his work, was very passionate about it. He was also one of the best cameramen we had,” Shetty said. He added that Singh had been unwell for some time and did not wake up on Wednesday morning, attributing his death to age-related health issues.
Beyond CID, Singh was widely recognised for creating Aahat, one of Indian television’s best-known horror shows. First aired in 1995, the series brought supernatural tales, suspense and mystery to television screens, captivating audiences for several years.
With CID and Aahat, Singh helped shape Indian television entertainment across genres, from crime and investigation to horror and the supernatural. His work introduced audiences to memorable characters and stories that continued to resonate with viewers across generations.
Singh’s legacy remains closely associated with two iconic television series that became an integral part of Indian popular culture.