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Despite flaws and 12 years later, Sony TV's 'CID' continues to enthral viewers.

Going by media reports, the crime graph in Mumbai is on the rise - more chain snatchings, burglaries and hit and run accidents. Only last week, the city was stunned by the shocking torture and killing of four youths by a gang after a minor altercation. The police are doing their best, but apparently that is not enough.

Yet, there is one 'police' agency, which for the past 12 years, at least on two days a week, has managed to solve a variety of crimes, mostly murder, thereby becoming a household name among Mumbaikars. Normally, crime detection is a hush hush affair but this group does everything openly, and has become immensely popular.

Come Friday and Saturday, thousands of people sit glued in front of their television sets watching the latest triumphs of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Pradhyuman and his team of detectives in 'CID', a crime serial telecast on Sony Channel.

Twelve years is a long tenure for any TV show but viewers find 'CID' different from the weepy soaps, 'saas-bahu' melodrama and silly comedy.

I started watching 'CID' some four years ago and now never miss an episode. ACP saab, his capable aides, Senior Inspector Abhijit, Daya and the rest of their team, and forensic expert Dr. Salunkhe have become weekly pals as they solve one crime after another.

Realistic characters

Despite the flaws, 'CID' has clicked in a big way because it tells a crime story effectively, holding the interests of the viewers till the end. The crime-solving procedure is shown in a realistic manner, the plots (on most occasions) make sense and the characters are true to life. The viewers often feel that with Daya and Abhijeet on the crime scene, the guilty will not get away. The serial seldom glorifies crime and stresses the message that crime does not pay.

I did watch re-runs of the earlier episodes, regularly telecast on Sony Channel. The supporting cast did change, but the main foursome has remained the same. This makes for continuity, important in a crime serial.

One recognises characters from earlier episodes, who left 'CID' and moved to other serials such as 'Balika Vadhu.'

To appreciate 'CID,' never compare it with slick crime shows ('Murder She Wrote', 'Midsomer Murders' or 'LA Law') on foreign channels. 'CID' is essentially meant for Indian audiences who do not read foreign crime fiction and are not familiar with the serials on foreign channels. It tries to interpret and present how Indian crime detection forces work to catch crooks.

In the process, it makes glaring mistakes. When a felony is reported, the entire CID team of seven or eight, march to the scene of the crime like the cast of 'Magnificent Seven'. Is it possible for the team to focus on just one crime at a time? For example, while investigating a case, either interrogating a major suspect or checking some facts in the forensic lab, if the CID team receives a phone call about the discovery of yet another 'laash' (corpse),has the entire team rush out leaving whatever they are doing. So what happens to the evidence they have been checking up on?

Forensic expert Dr. Salunkhe and his assistants are unbelievably efficient and versatile. Apart from conducting post-mortems to identify the cause of death, they handle fingerprints, are experts in ballistics and deliver results before one can say, "ACP Pradhyuman." In fact, unlike genuine police investigation, 'CID' believes in 'instant' results which speaks of its efficiency. Take the case where a clue is detected in a barber shop. As soon as the ACP issues the order, "Sab barber shop ko check karo, achhi tarah check karo" (check out all the barber shops thoroughly), the team is off to the hundreds of barber shops in the city and returns with results in no time!

Indian crime detection does need some comic relief. But a major drawback of 'CID' is the character of Inspector Freddie who is shown as a cowardly imbecile, scared of his wife and breaks into a howl at the mention of an 'Atma' (spirit). This is not the kind of comedy one looks for in a crime serial.

The best and the worst

The best episodes have been those which deal with murder and are realistic. Among the worst were those in which some of the senior members of the cast, including Daya, Abhijit and even the ACP, were shown as suspects in some silly crime. These tested their credibility and the plots went haywire. Whenever 'CID' deviates from the simple job of solving a crime and ventures into the world of terrorism and espionage, it fails to make an impact

Essentially, 'CID' is on a firm foundation because crime is part of the world we live in.

The serial has many admirers. Recently the entire CID team was felicitated by Lata Mangeshkar and her family, who admitted that they were addicted to it. Lataji even joked that it was high time Daya and Abhijit got married ( in the serial, of course). On my part, I want a much-needed promotion for Pradhyuman. How long can he remain a mere ACP despite solving so many crimes?