Rohit Arya, Who Held 17 Children Hostage in Mumbai Studio, Dies in Police Encounter
Mumbai, 30th October 2025: Rohit Arya, the man who had taken 17 children hostage inside a film studio in Mumbai, died after being shot during a police rescue operation on Thursday. He was rushed to a nearby hospital with bullet injuries but was declared dead on arrival, police officials said.
The tense standoff unfolded at RA Studio, a small film studio where Arya had allegedly lured several children under the pretext of conducting acting auditions. According to police, the children—aged between 8 and 14 years—were held captive for several hours before being safely rescued.
All 17 Children Rescued Unharmed
Police officials from Powai Police Station received an emergency call around 1:45 p.m. and immediately rushed to the spot. Negotiators tried to convince Arya to surrender, but he refused to release the children and allegedly threatened to harm them.
As the situation escalated, the police team entered the premises through a bathroom entry point and managed to rescue all 17 children safely.
Accused Posted Video Message During Hostage Crisis
During the standoff, Arya reportedly posted a video message on social media stating, “I am not a terrorist, nor am I demanding money. I just want to talk to certain people.” In the clip, he also claimed he had been depressed and suicidal, but instead of ending his life, he decided to stage the hostage situation to “send a message” to those he wanted to confront.
Police: Hostage Plan Was Pre-Planned
Investigations have revealed that Arya had meticulously planned the incident. The studio where it occurred is known for conducting acting classes and auditions.
A senior police officer said, “Arya had been holding auditions for the past four to five days. On Thursday, around 100 children attended the session. After the tests, he allowed about 80 to leave but asked nearly 20 to stay back. That’s when he locked the doors and took them hostage.”
Officials suspect the act was deliberate and premeditated, though the motive behind it is still under investigation.
