Mumbai was gripped by a hostage crisis on Thursday, October 30, 2025, when Rohit Arya, a 38-year-old man, held 17 children and two adults captive at RA Studio in Powai. Arya, who was shot by police during the rescue operation, later died from his injuries. Investigations have since revealed that Arya had contacted several actors regarding a film project about a hostage situation.
The incident unfolded at RA Studio, where Arya had lured the children under the pretense of an acting audition for a web series. Police say the children, around 15 years old, had been attending auditions at the studio for the past two days. Once inside the studio, Arya locked the doors, preventing anyone from leaving, sparking panic among the children and raising alarm when parents were unable to contact them.
According to Rohan Raj Aher, Arya's assistant, Arya told the children they would be ‘kidnapped’ for a scene in the film. Arya had even stockpiled food, anticipating a prolonged standoff.
Before the police stormed the studio, Arya released a video online, identifying himself and stating that he had taken the children hostage to be heard and get answers to some questions. He claimed his demands were ethical and moral, not financial, and insisted he was not a terrorist. He also warned that any attempts to harm him or the children would have dire consequences.
As the hostage situation was unfolding, it emerged that Arya had been in contact with Marathi actors regarding a film about a hostage situation. Veteran actor Girish Oak said he was contacted by an ex-coworker on behalf of Arya, who was looking for actors for his project. Actress Ruchita Jadhav also confirmed that Arya had contacted her about a movie with a similar theme. She was scheduled to meet with him but couldn't due to family commitments.
The Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) has issued a statement clarifying that Arya had no association with the Indian film or television industry and had no verified credentials.
Police sources revealed Arya had a complicated history with the Maharashtra government. He had worked with the state's School Education Department on a cleanliness initiative called "Swachhata Monitor" since 2022. However, a dispute arose over unpaid funds, leading to allegations of corruption and numerous protests by Arya. He claimed the government owed him ₹2 crore in project consultant fees. Arya's wife, Anjali Arya, stated that her husband had been struggling to receive the sanctioned payment approved by former Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar.
The crisis ended when police commandos stormed the studio after two hours of negotiation and shot Arya. He was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. All 17 children and two adults were safely rescued. Officials reported that Arya was armed with an air gun and some chemicals.
Deepak Kesarkar stated that the government was ready to pay Arya, but they learned that he had collected money from students. Kesarkar said that Arya was asked to return the money to the students, but he failed to do so.
