One of the most famous crime shows on Indian television, CID has been a household name over the last 25 years, and fans have enjoyed the show with its exciting cases, characters, and iconic lines. CID Season 2 returned with a bang after a hiatus of six years in December 2024 with the much-loved trio of ACP Pradyuman, Inspector Daya, and Inspector Abhijeet. The reboot of the show has created nostalgic feelings in ages, and the latest turn of events has fans in a frenzy. Among the much-awaited developments is the coming back of Dr. Tarika, essayed by Shraddha Musale, after the sudden departure of Dr. Salunkhe, played by Narendra Gupta. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of this comeback of Dr. Tarika, the emotional rollercoaster of CID Season 2, and what had made fans excited to watch this show every weekend.
Tradition of Crime-Making Excellence
CID initially started in 1998 and continued astonishingly to show its 20th anniversary in 2018, being one of the longest-running programs in Indian television history. Produced by B.P. Singh, it was a cultural phenomenon, and the characters of the series, such as ACP Pradyuman (Shivaji Satam), Daya (Dayanand Shetty), and Abhijeet (Aditya Srivastava), have become synonymous with crime-solving brilliance. The combination of suspense, forensics, and emotional drama in the show appealed to generations of viewers. Such lines as "Kuch toh gadbad hai" or the door-breaking scenes of Daya entered pop culture and were turned into memes and reels years after the show stopped airing.
The fans were excited when the news of CID Season 2 was released, as they would get to see their favorite characters back. Attached to a new season that debuted on December 21, 2024, on Sony TV and Netflix, the creators promised to maintain the dosage of nostalgia associated with the original, adding modern production standards and some new characters. The initial episode fetched a good TRP of 1.4, and it proved that CID has a special place in the hearts of the viewers even after so many years. Nevertheless, the season has also had its twists and scandals, such as the teary departure of Dr. Salunkhe and the comeback of popular Dr. Tarika.
The Departure of Dr. Salunkhe: A Twist of Shocking Proportions.
Narendra Gupta as Dr. Salunkhe has been a pillar in CID since it started. Being the chief of the forensic department, he was the best person to contribute his skills in evidence analysis and autopsies to crack difficult cases. Readers loved his cool persona and scientific bent of investigation that balanced the action-filled cases headed by ACP Pradyuman and his team. Nevertheless, the latest episodes of CID Season 2 have taken an unexpected turn; namely, Dr. Salunkhe has turned out to be a traitor, which storyline stunned and devastated viewers.
The internet and social media exploded with the responses, most of the fans unable to believe what the makers have decided to do to the legacy of such a popular character. Wrote one viewer on X, "Is Dr. Salunkhe a traitor?" It is torture to fans who were fond of the OG Bond.” The outcry was immediate, and the people wanted him back. To make the emotional turmoil complete, the exit of Narendra Gupta's show was confirmed, and a farewell party was given on the sets, and so his journey with CID came to an end. This resignation left a gap in the forensic department, leaving people wondering who would come to fill his boots.
Homecoming of Dr. Tarika
Following the dismay due to the departure of Dr. Salunkhe, the fans were badly in need of some thrill when the news of Dr. Tarika returning came in. Dr. Tarika, played by Shraddha Musale, was a major character in the forensic team in the original CID series, as was her intelligence and chemistry with Inspector Abhijeet. In the recent episodes, there has been a hint about her comeback, and both Abhijeet and Dr. Salunkhe dropped some hints, leaving the fans in a frenzy. The news was further established by a viral photo of Shraddha Musale on the sets of CID Season 2; an X user wrote, “Wow! I am very glad and excited that Dr. Tarika is entering the show.”
The character of Dr. Tarika was popular among the fans because of her capacity to solve mysterious cases by using forensic evidence, and she usually collaborated with Dr. Salunkhe. Her relationship with Abhijeet also had people speculating about the possibility of a love affair, lovingly called AbhiRika by the fans. The fact that there is a chance of returning to this storyline has built up the hype, and viewers are excited to see how her returning to Pan Am will affect the storyline of the show. A fan wrote on X, “We all were expecting the reunion of Daya and Shreya, whereas I am still waiting for Abhijeet and Tarika ki reunion.”
CID Season 2: The Emotional Rollercoaster
CID Season 2 has seen fans going through a rollercoaster of emotions as some characters have exited the show dramatically and returned triumphantly, leaving viewers glued to their seats. Among the most popular controversies was the temporary departure of ACP Pradyuman, whose character was depicted as being killed in a bomb explosion. The move created an uproar among the fans, who went to social media to express their wish to have him back. Remarks such as "CID without ACP Pradyuman is nothing" entered the platforms, and the producers could not ignore the request of the audience, and Shivaji Satam reappeared as the popular character. This development resulted in the departure of Parth Samthaan, who entered the show as ACP Ayushmaan, a younger officer recruited to replace the gap left by Pradyuman.
The cameo appearance of Parth Samthaan as ACP Ayushmaan was coupled with a mixed reaction. Some people liked his fresh energy, but others said that he could never replace the original three (Pradyuman, Daya, and Abhijeet). His departure was surrounded by emotional goodbyes from the CID team as Shivaji Satam and others saw him off on the set. The reintroduction of ACP Pradyuman, Inspector Shreya (Janvi Chheda Gopalia), and now Dr. Tarika has made the fans believe again that the show will not disappoint them in terms of keeping the nostalgic feel alive.
The Importance of the Homecoming of Dr. Tarika.
The return of Dr. Tarika is not simply a casting choice but rather a way of acknowledging the dedicated fan community that has kept CID alive over the years via memes, fan theories, and generally begging to have the show brought back. Her personality can be seen as the soul of the forensic team, the balance between the scientific examination and the human stake of every case. Audiences have always loved her commitment and the quiet chemistry she had with Abhijeet that made the show have some sort of personal drama within the crime-solving formula
The makers also know what is special about CID, which is why they decided to introduce Dr. Tarika once again. Although the introduction of new characters, such as Dr. Gargi (Parul Rai), who temporarily replaced Tarika, was aimed at ensuring that the show remained new, the fans indicated their preference for the old cast. The introduction of old characters such as Shreya and Tarika demonstrates that the creators are paying attention to viewer suggestions, and they are juggling between the old and the new to make the show entertaining in 2025.
The Bigger Picture: Reception of CID Season 2
CID Season 2 has been the subject of scorching debate ever since its premiere. The initial episode was acclaimed due to the increased production values, such as the modernized CID bureau and the involvement of the AI-based technology in investigations. Some fans were, however, of the opinion that the plot was not as punchy as the original series. In a review it was observed that though the show still maintained its nostalgic value, the plot of the first few episodes was weak in comparison to the classic CID cases that had viewers riveted to the screens.
In spite of these criticisms, the show has continued to enjoy high ratings, and it runs on Sony TV every Saturday and Sunday at 10 PM, and it is also available on Sony LIV and Netflix. The presence of the fan-favorite characters and the hint of the exciting new cases have helped maintain the hype. The audience has also resonated with the emotional attachment between the characters, like Abhijeet and his daughter Shreya, giving depth to the storyline of the show.
Season 2 of What’s Next for CID?
The fans are also excited about the developments in the show with the introduction of Dr. Tarika back into the show and how her character will influence the forthcoming episodes. Will she become the head of the forensic department in full, or will the makers add some new dynamics to fill the gap left by Dr. Salunkhe? One also wonders whether the storyline of “AbhiRika” will be developed any further, as there have been hints about the same in the previous episodes. Also, with the confetti of Inspector Shreya back, there is the hope that other fan-favorite characters, including Freddy (Dinesh Phadnis), may also return, though no official word has been given yet.
A talent to strike a balance between nostalgia and new twists is going to be instrumental in the further success of the show. The fans have been vocal in their desire to see the spirit of CID, the bonding between the team members, the tension of the moments, and the famous one-liners continue. The makers now face a difficult task cut out for them, following the controversial traitor arc with Dr. Salunkhe. But now that Dr. Tarika is back and ACP Pradyuman has been reinstated, CID Season 2 is apparently on the correct path of regaining its faithful viewers.
Fan Loyalty: The Power of It
The revival of CID and its main characters underlines the strength of the fan loyalty in determining the content of television programs. Social media (such as X) has been instrumental in giving more power to the reactions of viewers, whether it is the indignation of a character departure or the joy of a comeback. The emotional attachment of the fans to the show is visible in posts such as, “CID is not complete without the OG team,” and “The best news ever is Dr. Tarika is coming back.” This association has made CID remain relevant despite a six-year lapse, and this confirms that its legacy lives beyond time.
Conclusion
CID Season 2 proves the popularity of the show that has set the standards of crime dramas on Indian television. The reappearance of Dr. Tarika, portrayed by Shraddha Musale, is a triumph for the fans who have desired to see the comeback of their favorite personalities. Even though the departure of Dr. Salunkhe was a pill too hard to swallow, the return of Tarika gives some hope that the show will remain faithful to its roots at the same time as it will incorporate new stories. Even as CID enters this new journey, it is still a favorite of Indian pop culture and makes us remember why lines like "Daya, darwaza tod do" will always be close to our hearts. Watch on Sony TV or on Netflix to not miss the newest bends and turns of this legendary crime chronicle.
