Who is Rohit Arya — The Man Behind the Powai Hostage Drama in Mumbai

Mumbai Police on Thursday shot dead Rohit Arya, the man responsible for a tense hostage situation in Powai, where around 20 children were held captive inside a film studio for nearly three hours. The dramatic standoff at RA Studio, near the L&T building, began after Arya allegedly invited minors under the pretext of an audition before locking them inside.

Authorities received an emergency call around 3 pm, prompting a massive rescue operation involving the Mumbai Police’s Quick Response Team and the Fire Brigade. Officials broke through the studio’s entrance using hydraulic tools and safely evacuated all the children and two adults trapped inside. Police later confirmed that Arya had been armed with an air gun and had threatened to harm himself and the hostages.

Preliminary investigations suggest that Arya was mentally unstable and demanded to speak with former Maharashtra education minister Deepak Kesarkar, claiming he had grievances related to government policies. In a video shared online before his death, Arya insisted, “I am not a terrorist; I just want moral and ethical conversation,” denying any intent to harm the children.

As police negotiators tried to calm him, Arya reportedly fired from his air gun, prompting officers to retaliate. He was shot during the confrontation and later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. None of the children were injured.

Police are now probing how Arya lured the victims to the studio and whether anyone assisted him in planning the act. Investigators are also reviewing his mental health background and digital communications to determine his motives.

The incident has left Mumbai residents shaken and raised concerns over security protocols in spaces frequented by minors, especially during auditions and filming sessions.