The Indian television industry has lost one of its most influential figures with the passing of CID creator and producer-director B. P. Singh at the age of 77. Following his demise after a massive heart attack, the legendary filmmaker's funeral at Oshiwara crematorium in Mumbai saw an emotional gathering of the CID family and several prominent television personalities. Among those paying their final respects was Dayanand Shetty, best known for playing Inspector Daya, who remembered Singh Sahab not just as a visionary filmmaker but as a generous human being who quietly transformed countless lives.
Speaking on the sidelines of the funeral, Dayanand described Singh's passing as a massive loss for the entertainment industry. He highlighted how, over nearly three decades, Singh consistently provided opportunities to newcomers who arrived in Mumbai with dreams of becoming actors but struggled to make ends meet.
“This is a massive loss for the industry. For nearly 26–27 years—starting from the 90s—he was a director and producer who consistently provided opportunities to newcomers. People arriving from North India (and elsewhere) with dreams of becoming actors would often struggle here; yet, Singh Sahab would ensure they had the means to put food on their tables,” Shetty said.
He recalled how Singh would offer struggling actors small roles, not merely to fill a requirement in a production but to help them support their families. According to Dayanand, the filmmaker's generosity extended far beyond his professional responsibilities.
“For those struggling to afford basic necessities, he would offer them small roles—out of pure goodwill—just to help them sustain their households. In his own way, he was more of a philanthropist than just a producer; he was a truly generous benefactor, though he never spoke about it,” he added.
Explaining Singh's approach to helping people, Dayanand said the producer believed in offering work rather than publicising his charitable acts. “His approach was, ‘This is my way of helping you—do a scene or two for me, and earn enough to cover your monthly living expenses.’ That was the kind of man Singh Sahab was; he never boasted about his acts of charity, nor did he ever mention them to anyone.”
Dayanand also praised Singh's extraordinary contribution behind the camera, describing him as a magician whose work deserved to be studied by aspiring filmmakers and cinematographers. He noted that several television directors began their careers under Singh's mentorship and benefited immensely from his guidance. “In all my 28–30 years in this industry, I have never encountered a cameraman like him. The passion he brought to his work was on an entirely different level,” he said, adding that at least 25 to 30 directors working in television today had started their journeys under Singh.
Recalling a recent visit to Singh's home before shooting a new show, Dayanand shared that the filmmaker had blessed the team despite his deteriorating health. He described the loss as particularly painful for newcomers who depended on Singh's support and care.
The funeral brought together several members of the CID family, including Shivaji Satam, who portrayed ACP Pradyuman, and Aditya Srivastava, who played Inspector Abhijeet. Satam was overcome with emotion and said Singh deserved the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian television, while Shetty was seen helping carry the late filmmaker's mortal remains. Ansha Sayyed, Shraddha Musale, filmmaker Ashok Pandit, comedian Sunil Pal and actor K. K. Goswami were also among those who came to pay their respects.
Best known for creating the iconic crime series CID and the horror show Aahat, B. P. Singh also appeared on screen as DCP Shamsher Singh Chitrole. His legacy extends beyond memorable television shows to the many artists he mentored and supported. As Dayanand's heartfelt tribute underlined, Singh Sahab's greatest contribution may well have been the lives he changed quietly, without ever seeking recognition.