Development and casting The show was conceived by director Pankaj Parashar and produced in collaboration with theatre and advertising veteran
Alyque Padamsee. Kapur, who had trained at the
National School of Drama in Delhi, was initially reluctant to work in television but came on board seeing it as a means to achieve financial stability in Bombay.
Filming The original series was filmed at
Filmistan Studios in Bombay. Director Parashar kept production deliberately simple — using a single camera with no high-end gadgetry or computers, an approach that suited Kapur's own sensibility as a performer.
Initial reception and turnaround The first few episodes were poorly received. Audiences found the unconventional style involving fast cuts, unusual camera angles, and an eccentric detective protagonist, difficult to accept. In an interview with
Forbes India, Parashar recalled that Kapur had broken down during this period and questioned whether joining the show had been the right decision. Audiences, however, soon warmed to the show. Prominent figures from the Hindi film industry offered their praise. As Parashar later recounted to
Forbes India: "The likes of
Dev Anand and
Dilip Kumar appreciated our efforts.
Manoj Kumar was very supportive,
Kamal Haasan would call, and
Kishore Kumar said he wanted to work with me.
Saeed Mirza said you have created history." Parashar went on to direct the Bollywood films
Jalwa (1987) and
Chaalbaaz (1989). ==Cast==