From remembering late actor Dinesh Phadnis to Daya assuming he was offered ACP's role; Aditya Srivastava and Dayanand Shetty recall their best memories from CID

CID is all set to return to the small screens after a short hiatus with its second season. The show has been the longest-running crime-based show on TV and with its return fans have been extremely excited. In a recent podcast, Aditya Srivastava and Dayanand Shetty got candid about their CID days and how they bagged the role. Here's what they had to share:

The most interesting thing about our CID team was that we used to stay together. As you mentioned about the friendship, we had a great comfort level, the producers, makers and all took care of it. We used to look forward to coming to the set because of the bonding and comfort between the cast members and core members. The show worked for 21 years, and it is difficult to run a show for that long with the same team but we worked as a family.

We had a lot of fun after the shot, we didn't have the same set. Every day there was a different location and set of actors. Early morning you are either in the water, climbing trees or running, so there was a lot of adventure on the show. So to have that core comfort amongst the team is very important to run the show successfully.

We used to have a big vanity which was divided between Daya, Shivaji and Me. Phadnis and I used to share the same vanity (he is not around us anymore) and the doors would be open. So it would turn into one big room and six people sharing the same food and the same joy together.

I was a non-actor, when I started CID I didn't have established work as an actor before this. So CID was where I was facing the camera for the first time for acting. Shivaji sir wasn't there, Ashutosh Gowarikar was leading and Sanjeev Seth. I was stuck up and conscious as it was the first time and I was told to wear a suit I felt like a waiter standing there. Even today when I see those first few episodes I feel I was so out of place.

I had come to do the work that I was assigned, not goof up and have no trouble in shooting because of me. After that, everything that I learnt was in CID. Ashutosh Gowarikar, Shivaji sir, Narendra Guptaji and Aditya Srivastava then joined, they were all established actors and I learnt a lot from them. I didn't come with an ambition to become a huge star, whatever little I could learn, I learnt on the field. I did everything with honesty and discipline.

I was a sportsman, after college. I didn't have an ambition so I did whatever I was asked to do and luck was in my favour. Even when CID happened, I was doing something else, someone spotted me and offered me a role. Sanjay Shetty offered me a role for the cop and I wasn't sure about it. I had done a theatre play, it was my first play and I got the best actor. I didn't struggle much and I did it.

My daddy was not well and I wasn't in the proper frame of mind. But my friend insisted and I did the audition. I was least bothered and I had heard Singh sahaab was very intimidating. I was ready with the script and I quickly gave the audition and he said, 'Aapke dialogue delivery mein south Indian accent hai.' I was like 'haan sir, main South Indian hoon toh thoda accent aayega.'

I think I was destined for the role, they called me and said Suit leke aao, and I thought they were giving me ACP's role. But then when I went there, the rest is history. I played Daya for 21 years and again we are coming back.