Actor Dinesh Phadnis, well-known for his role as Fredericks in the TV show CID, passed away at 57 years old. His fellow CID actor, Dayanand Shetty, who played Daya, confirmed the sad news. Dinesh had been receiving treatment at Mumbai’s Tunga Hospital and passed away at 12.08 am due to multiple organ failure.
Dayanand Shetty explained that Dinesh had various complications and was taken off the ventilator the previous night. The actor’s funeral was scheduled for 10.30 am in Mumbai, and the CID cast paid their respects at his home.
Another CID actor, Aditya Srivastava, known for portraying Inspector Abhijeet, mentioned that Dinesh had been battling liver issues, affecting his other organs. He deteriorated over the past few days and couldn’t recover.
Initially, it was thought that Dinesh had a heart attack on Sunday leading to hospitalization, but later, Shetty clarified it was liver damage.
Dinesh gained fame for his role in CID, which aired from 1998 for two decades on Sony TV. He also appeared in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and had supporting roles in movies like Super 30 and Sarfarosh.
Dinesh portrayed the comical and innocent CID officer Fredericks alongside Shivaji Satam and Aditya Shrivastava. Recalling how he secured the role, Dinesh mentioned in an interview, “During my struggle for acting opportunities, I frequently encountered B P Singh, the producer of CID. I don’t know if it was pure luck or a coincidence. Eventually, he offered me a role in CID, and that’s how my journey began. Later, I also joined Aahat.”
“The show initially lacked humor. So, I was brought in to add comedic elements. I’m grateful for the positive response I received from the audience,” he shared with Telly Chakkar.
Aside from his acting career, he actively shared moments with his granddaughter on social media. His presence and performances on television and in films touched the hearts of many fans.
In 2019, Phadnis took on a supporting role as Constable Shambhu Tawde in CIF, showing his dedication to acting even as he progressed in his career. Phadnis’ legacy, spanning across decades and various genres, remains a testament to his lasting influence on the affection of fans and the wider cinematic world.