Netflix’s Adolescence has captivated global audiences with its gripping crime drama and single-take cinematography, but India’s CID set the bar much higher 21 years ago. While Adolescence impresses with hour-long single-take episodes, CID’s “Inheritance” episode ran for 111 minutes in a single shot, setting a Guinness World Record.
The Groundbreaking Episode of CID
Premiered on November 7, 2004, Inheritance was a bold attempt by director B.P. Singh to craft a continuous, unbroken narrative—a feat never attempted in Indian television before. The mystery-thriller followed the CID team investigating a murder in a mansion where all the suspects remained on-site.
Featuring Shivaji Satam, Aditya Srivastav, Dayanand Shetty, and Mona Ambegaonkar, the episode also starred renowned actors Kay Kay Menon and Raj Zutshi. The entire sequence was filmed on October 8, 2004, in one take without a single cut.
A Recognized World Record
Guinness World Records acknowledged Inheritance as “the longest continuous camera shot in a TV show.” The challenging execution, synchronized movements, and seamless performances made it a landmark achievement in television history.
Adolescence vs. Inheritance: A Comparison
While CID’s episode had a theatrical feel, Adolescence refines the technique with dynamic scene transitions and large-scale coordination, particularly in a school scene involving 500 extras. Both projects showcase the technical brilliance of single-take storytelling in their eras.
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