CID Actor Dinesh Phadnis Passes Away At 57, Cremates In Mumbai Funeral

We have some sad news to share from the world of Indian television. Dinesh Phadnis, a familiar face to many as Fredericks from the popular TV show CID, passed away on Monday night, December 4, 2023, in Mumbai. He was 57 years old.

Dinesh Phadnis was admitted to Tunga Hospital in Mumbai and had been on ventilator support since December 2. Initially, there were reports suggesting he suffered a heart attack. This was later clarified by his CID co-star Dayanand Shetty, who played the role of Senior Inspector Daya. He informed that Phadnis had not suffered a heart attack and was under different treatment.

Dinesh Phadnis was widely recognized for his role in CID, a detective show that started airing in 1998 and continued until 2018. It’s one of the longest-running shows in Indian television history. 

In the show, Phadnis played the role of Fredericks, a character known and loved for his comic timing and fun interactions with other characters, especially Shivaji Satam’s ACP Pradyuman.

Besides acting, Phadnis also contributed to the writing of some episodes of CID. He had a cameo in the long-running sitcom “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah” as his CID character. His film appearances include roles in “Sarfarosh” and “Super 30,” and he also wrote for a Marathi film.

After CID ended, Dinesh Phadnis remained connected with his fans through social media, where he was quite active. His passing away has left many fans and co-stars deeply saddened.

His co-star Dayanand Shetty, in an exclusive conversation with Zoom/Telly Talk, shared details about Phadnis’s final rites and expressed his emotions over losing a dear friend. The funeral was held in Mumbai.

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Dinesh Phadnis’s contribution to Indian television, especially through his role in CID, has left a lasting impact. He will be remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time!