By Subhash k Jha

At age 62, B. P Singh the producer of the record-breaking television series CID, has made his debut as an actor. Singh plays Saif Ali Khan's boss at the RAW (Research & Analysis Wing) in Agent Vinod.

Shy to speak of venturing into an entirely known arena at this age Singh says, "Sriram whom I've known for many years kept saying he'd cast me in his film. I didn't take him seriously. I was surprised when he actually called me for this role. I was in the US at that time. I rushed back to hear what Sriram had in mind. "

Singh thought it would just be a cameo. "But I've a good 6-7 scenes with Saif. I was hesitant about how to approach the role. Everyone in the cast was more experienced than me. When I saw the film I though I could've done much better. "

Singh is open to other acting offers. "Though I can't see myself being cast in anything conventional at my age. "

He is currently in the 15th year of producing CID, the most successful show of all time. "I don't know how we did it for so long, In 15 years audiences' tastes have changed. Young people don't like to watch television any more.

And still there's come connectivity with the changing profile of television audiences that's kept the show on air. I am lucky to have a team of actors, directors and writers who have kept CID going. "

Now the show is ready to go to another level. A feature film based on the longest-running serial is on the anvil. The film has been in the pipeline for nearly three years. But now it's ready to take off, thanks to certain concrete developments.

Informs B. P. Singh, "Sony who own the rights for the serial are now going to produce the film version of CID. That's a big step forward in the making of the film. If the copyright holders of the serial produce the feature we can go ahead with the film without any stumbling blocks. "

The film will feature the same cast of lead actors as the series. Singh wants to bring in a A-lister Bollywood star as the villain in the film version of CID.

Apparently Sony has allocated a restricted budget for the feature film.

Says Singh, "We have to work our way around the budget allocated. That would include the fees of a big star who will play the antagonist. But we're going ahead with the film now. "

Singh's parting-shot, "Someone suggested I should do a remake of the Guru Dutt film CID. Why should we do someone else's CID when we we have our own?"