Mumbai Hostage Crisis Grips Powai
Mumbai hostage crisis sent shockwaves through the city on Thursday when acting coach Rohit Arya, 38, held 17 children and two adults hostage inside RA Studio, Powai. What began as a simple acting audition spiraled into a dramatic standoff that lasted over three hours before police commandos stormed in to rescue the captives.
Arya, furious over alleged unpaid dues of ₹2 crore from an educational project, demanded to speak directly with former Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar. The tense situation drew massive crowds and shut down the area as Mumbai Police, Quick Response Teams, and the Crime Branch surrounded the building.
How the RA Studio Siege Began
The crisis started late morning when Arya invited young aspiring actors to a mock audition. Once the group entered the studio, he locked the doors and refused to release anyone. The children, aged between 10 and 15, initially thought it was part of the act, until Arya began shouting about being “cheated by the system.”
At around 11 a.m., parents waiting outside raised an alarm when calls went unanswered. Within minutes, Powai Police arrived, followed by senior officers and negotiation teams. Arya repeatedly demanded media attention and a video call with Kesarkar, claiming the government owed him ₹2 crore for a film-based education program he executed in 2021.
Commandos Execute Swift Rescue Operation
As negotiators struggled to calm him, Arya reportedly brandished an air pistol, threatening to harm the hostages. Fearing escalation, Mumbai Police commandos were deployed. Around 2 p.m., after prolonged negotiations failed, officers decided to breach the studio.
Commandos entered through a side passage and confronted Arya when he reached for his weapon. A single tactical shot was fired, striking Arya. He was rushed to HBT Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
All 19 hostages were rescued unharmed. The children were immediately given medical checkups and counseling support. Parents expressed both shock and gratitude for the swift, coordinated police response that prevented a potential tragedy.
Who Was Rohit Arya?
Investigations reveal Arya was a freelance acting trainer and filmmaker who had previously collaborated with educational institutions for creative film projects. He had submitted multiple requests for a ₹2 crore payment from a state-supported educational initiative, but officials allegedly delayed or denied it.
Friends described him as a passionate yet temperamental artist, struggling financially in recent months. Neighbors in Andheri said Arya often spoke of being betrayed by politicians and the education system, hinting at growing frustration.
A close associate told local media, “Rohit believed he was wronged. But no one expected him to lose control like this.”
Crime Branch to Probe Unpaid Dues Claim
The Mumbai Crime Branch has now taken over the case to verify Arya’s allegations. Investigators are reviewing documents related to the educational film project and payment records from the Maharashtra Education Department.
A senior officer stated, “We will cross-check every communication and contract linked to this project. If there are genuine unpaid dues, we will trace accountability.”
Meanwhile, Deepak Kesarkar publicly denied any personal involvement, clarifying that he never dealt directly with Arya during his tenure as Education Minister.
City Reacts: Fear, Shock, and Questions
The Powai hostage incident left Mumbai residents stunned. Parents across the city questioned the safety standards of private acting workshops, where children often attend unsupervised auditions. Others pointed to the mental health crisis among struggling artists and freelancers who face bureaucratic hurdles in government projects.
Social media was flooded with praise for the Mumbai Police’s professionalism, especially their rapid assessment and minimal-casualty approach.
By evening, normalcy returned to Powai, but the shocking episode reignited debate about artists’ financial security, mental health support, and the need for better vetting in child-oriented workshops.
