2025 Return of 'CID'

You've waited six years for CID to return, and the 2025 revival delivered more than just nostalgia. The show premiered on December 21, 2024, after its original 1,547-episode run ended in 2018. Your favorite trio — Shivaji Satam, Dayanand Shetty, and Aditya Srivastava — all came back, and their reunion was literally why Sony greenlit Season 2. With shocking twists, new faces, and Season 3 already in the works, there's plenty more to uncover ahead.

Key Takeaways

• CID returned on December 21, 2024, after six years off air, concluding its original 20-year, 1,547-episode run in 2018.
• The trio of Shivaji Satam, Dayanand Shetty, and Aditya Srivastava reuniting was the primary reason the channel greenlit Season 2.
• Netflix released 18 episodes on February 21, 2025, with streaming performance outpacing traditional TV's modest 0.8 TVR rating.
• Season 2's shocking finale featured Abhijeet killing Daya, with Dr. Salunkhe exposed as a traitor aiding criminal Barboza.
• Season 3 is projected to premiere May–June 2026, picking up directly from Season 2's unresolved, dramatic cliffhanger events.

CID Season 2 Is Back : After Six Years Off the Air

After six years off the air, CID made its long-awaited return on December 21, 2024, bringing back one of Indian television's most enduring franchises. The original series ran for 20 years, accumulating 1,547 episodes before concluding in 2018, making its revival a significant nostalgia resurgence for longtime fans.

You'll notice that Season 2 didn't simply replicate its predecessor. The production introduced casting dynamics early on, temporarily featuring a new ACP character played by Parth Samthaan before bringing back the original ACP through a dedicated storyline arc. This approach balanced fresh elements with familiar ones fans already loved.

Season 2 concluded on December 14, 2025, completing nearly a full year of broadcasts, with a third season already commissioned for 2026, securing the franchise's continued momentum. Shivaji Satam, who plays the iconic ACP Pradyuman, has confirmed his willingness to return should CID 3 move forward, though the final decision ultimately rests with the makers.

The Original Trio Who Returned to Mumbai's Crime Beat

Three familiar faces anchored CID's 2024 revival: Shivaji Satam as ACP Pradyuman, Dayanand Shetty as Inspector Daya, and Aditya Srivastava as Inspector Abhijeet. This trio reunion wasn't merely nostalgic casting — the channel explicitly credited their audience connection as the primary reason for greenlighting Season 2. Their character legacies carried serious weight, built across 1,547 episodes spanning twenty years.

Each actor brought distinct narrative depth to the revival. Satam's ACP Pradyuman even experienced death and resurrection within Season 2's storyline. Shetty's Inspector Daya transformed dramatically into a villain, becoming a central mystery. Srivastava's Abhijeet remained a cornerstone despite a prolific film career outside the franchise. Notably, Shetty also played a separate character, Inspector Abhimanyu, in the related series CID Special Bureau. You can see why audiences still identify these actors primarily through their CID roles — the characters simply define them.

Parth Samthaan as ACP Ayushmaan: How He Shakes Up the Trio

Parth Samthaan's casting as ACP Ayushmaan didn't exactly land softly. Fans assumed he'd replace ACP Pradyuman, sparking immediate backlash. Even Samthaan himself rejected the role initially, doubting whether he could step into such iconic shoes. Once the show clarified the casting dynamics — Ayushmaan would assist Pradyuman rather than replace him — skepticism began fading.

The character's arrival follows Pradyuman's death in an explosion, leaving Ayushmaan tasked with investigating his predecessor's case. That setup drives compelling character evolution, repositioning Samthaan away from his romantic television past and into grittier territory. You watch him gradually earn the veteran cast's respect while reshaping the trio's familiar dynamic.

His tenure stayed brief due to outside commitments, but the impact on the ensemble was undeniable — and Pradyuman's mysterious return promises even more. Upon wrapping his final episode, Samthaan received a warm cast farewell, with colleagues including Shivaji Satam and Aditya Srivastava gathering to celebrate his time on the show.

Where to Watch CID Season 2 on TV and OTT

CID Season 2 airs on Sony Entertainment Television every Saturday and Sunday at 7 PM, with episodes simultaneously available on SonyLIV if you'd rather stream than watch live. These TV schedules keep you current without delays between broadcast and digital release.

If you prefer Netflix, the platform dropped 18 episodes on February 21, 2025, with new episodes releasing every weekend after that. Netflix's streaming tiers, including ad-supported options, make the show accessible at various price points.

Beyond Netflix and SonyLIV, you can also watch through VI Movies and TV, Yupp TV, or Plex. OTTplay Premium releases additional content across platforms. With so many options available, you're never far from catching up on CID Season 2's expanding episode count. The season is produced under Banijay Asia alongside Fiction Factory, marking a production shift from the original Fireworks Productions banner.

How CID Season 2 Built Buzz Without Big TRP Numbers

When a show pulls millions of streams while struggling on traditional TV ratings, something interesting is happening. CID Season 2 built remarkable digital buzz without relying on strong TRP numbers, proving that modern audiences measure success differently.

Here's how it pulled it off:

• Meme culture carried the marketing. Catchphrases like "Darwaza Tod Denge" trended organically across social platforms, creating free promotion.
• Streaming numbers told a different story. SonyLIV and Netflix attracted new subscribers, with online viewership far exceeding traditional TV metrics.
• Engagement metrics impressed. Viewers averaged 30 minutes per 45-minute episode, with strong late-night watch patterns across 14 episodes in 45 days.

You're watching a show that basically bypassed conventional success benchmarks and redefined what a comeback can look like in 2025. On traditional TV, the show recorded a TVR of 0.8 in Week 2 of the 2025 BARC ratings, reflecting the gap between its digital momentum and linear television performance.

The CID Season 2 Finale That Shocked Every Loyal Fan

Few finales earn the word "shocking" honestly — Episode 104 of CID Season 2 did. Airing December 14, 2025 on Sony TV, it delivered a gut punch fans never saw coming: Abhijeet kills Daya.

The Betrayal Fallout hit hard because you'd watched these two trust each other for years. But Madame X, a calculating antagonist who'd already targeted multiple CID members, exploited Abhijeet's emotional vulnerability and turned him into an unwitting weapon. The lights went dark during the standoff, a shot fired, and nothing stayed the same afterward.

ACP Pradyuman faced an impossible choice. Abhijeet spiraled. Daya survived but spent three weeks hospitalized. The finale didn't just close a season — it fractured a team, then left you demanding answers about what Madame X truly wanted.

Will Shivaji Satam Return for CID Season 3?

After a Season 2 finale that left the CID team fractured and fans demanding answers, the biggest question heading into 2026 isn't about Madame X — it's whether Shivaji Satam will return as ACP Pradyuman.

Satam's confirmed he wants back in, but the final call belongs to the producers. Fan speculation continues growing despite no official Sony announcement. His character legacy makes him irreplaceable to the franchise's identity.

Here's what's known:

• Satam publicly expressed enthusiasm for reprising the role across multiple interviews
• Formal approval from the production company remains pending as of late 2025
• CID 3 is estimated to premiere May–June 2026, roughly six months after Season 2's December 14 conclusion

Until producers confirm, you're left waiting alongside millions of loyal fans. The original CID first aired in 1998, making this franchise over two decades old and a cornerstone of Indian television history.

When Is CID Season 3 Coming Out?

Work reportedly began shortly after Season 2's conclusion, keeping everything on track for that projected window.

The show's narrative continuity means Season 3 picks up directly where Season 2 left off — right after Abhijeet's shocking act against Daya — so you won't be waiting long before the story resolves those dangling threads.

Keep in mind that no official broadcaster confirmation exists yet. Details are coming from production insiders and industry reports, so treat the May–June 2026 target as a working projection rather than a locked premiere date. The TellyChakkar production source was specifically credited for surfacing that timeframe detail.