CID Family Mourns Dinesh Phadnis; ACP Pradyuman's Stirring Exit Looms

Apr, 6 2025

The world of Indian television lost a cherished talent recently with the passing of Dinesh Phadnis, who enchanted audiences as Inspector Fredericks (or Freddy) in the iconic crime series, CID. Bidding farewell on December 5, 2023, at 57, Phadnis succumbed to multi-organ failure, tragically stemming from severe liver damage. His co-star Dayanand Shetty, known on-screen as Daya, shared the heart-wrenching news of Phadnis's deterioration, revealing he was removed from life support after complications on December 5th, at Mumbai's Tunga Hospital.

The day after his passing, an emotional farewell was held in Borivali, where he was cremated amidst distinguished company. The entire cast of CID, including notable names such as Shivaji Satam, who won hearts as ACP Pradyuman, Aditya Srivastava's Abhijeet, and Narendra Gupta's portrayal of Dr. Salunkhe, gathered to honor the gentle giant of the show. Among its remarkable contributions, his character Freddy brought an intimate mix of humor and compassion to an otherwise gritty series. Apart from his stint in CID, Phadnis also appeared in critically acclaimed films like Sarfarosh and made a lasting impression in Super 30. He was even spotted in a guest role on the comedy staple, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

While Phadnis's departure leaves a void, CID fans are also preparing for another emotional upheaval. ACP Pradyuman, played by Shivaji Satam, is poised for an electrifying exit designed to astound viewers. In a bid to shock and move its audience, the forthcoming episode will see Pradyuman meeting a heroic yet tragic end in a bomb blast directed by arch-nemesis Barbosa, portrayed by the versatile Tigmanshu Dhulia. This storyline, brimming with suspense and drama, seeks to conclude the character’s twenty-year legacy with a bang—quite literally.

The episode has already been filmed and is expected to air soon, building anticipation and tension among the show's dedicated followers. This dual departure marks a pivotal moment for CID, intertwining the real-world grief with on-screen drama, and it's likely these changes will resonate deeply with long-time viewers.