Mumbai Studio Hostage Crisis: Videographer's Heroic Rescue Attempt as Audition Turns into Real-Life Drama

Rohit Arya sustained a fatal bullet injury during the rescue operation at R A Studio in Powai.

In Mumbai, what began as a routine audition for 17 hopeful children at R A Studio in Powai transformed into a harrowing hostage situation. The perpetrator was none other than Rohit Arya, the very filmmaker who had organized the auditions with promises of roles in his project.

Rohan Aher, Arya's videographer of ten years, provided a detailed account of the terrifying three-hour ordeal on Friday. Having worked closely with Arya on various projects including 'Swachhta Monitor' and 'Lets Change' initiatives, Aher found himself thrust into the role of both witness and rescuer during the crisis.

According to Aher, auditions for what was presented as a web series had concluded on Wednesday, but Arya had inexplicably insisted on an additional day of shooting. The filmmaker had informed his crew they would be filming a hostage scenario involving children, giving no indication that he intended to create an actual hostage situation with dire consequences.

Arya's disturbing intentions became apparent when he requested Aher on Wednesday to bring five liters of petrol and firecrackers to the set. Concerned about the children's safety, Aher deliberately ignored these instructions.

Upon arriving at the studio Thursday morning, Aher was told by a spot boy that access to the upstairs studio was restricted. Arya soon appeared, instructing Aher to secure all entry points to the building, claiming he needed to film a fire scene using rubber solution he had brought for special effects.

The situation escalated dramatically when Arya ignited the solution in front of the trapped children. When Aher and others begged him to stop, Arya brandished an air gun and ordered everyone to keep their distance.

Recognizing the imminent danger, Aher rushed outside to alert bystanders to contact authorities. Not content to wait, he returned to the studio and attempted to create an escape route by breaking a glass window on the upper floor. Arya countered this rescue attempt by spraying pepper spray into Aher's eyes, causing him to fall down the stairs and injure his hand.

Despite his injuries and temporarily impaired vision, Aher remained focused on helping the hostages escape. He managed to assist an elderly woman in fleeing the studio, though she suffered a head injury during the chaotic exit.

As police arrived and initiated negotiations with Arya, Aher made a second brave intervention, sneaking back into the building and urging the children to escape with him. Most were able to flee, but four children remained inside when police forced entry into the studio.

When Aher returned to rescue the remaining children, he heard gunfire, though he couldn't recall the exact number of shots fired.

Police later confirmed that Arya had discharged his air gun at officers, who responded with gunfire that struck him in the chest. Arya subsequently succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.