Parents gathered in panic outside the acting studio as police stormed the building to rescue trapped kids.
Powai studio hostage — what happened
On Thursday, October 30, 2025, a man identified as Rohit Arya lured a group of children to RA Studio in Powai under the pretext of film/web-series auditions and then locked them inside.
Reports put the number of children between 15–20; most outlets report 17 children plus two adults were freed.
Panic spread as parents arrived and worried onlookers gathered outside the building. Police and multiple specialized units responded quickly to the scene.
Negotiators attempted to talk the man down while Quick Reaction Teams (QRT), special commandos, and other police units prepared a tactical entry.
Officers eventually forced entry — reportedly through a back grill — after negotiations failed and the suspect fired at police with an air gun.
Police returned fire, injuring the suspect, who was taken to the hospital and later died of his wounds.
All hostages were rescued and reunited with their families; there were no reported injuries among the children.
Police recovered an air gun and some chemicals from the scene; investigations into the nature of those chemicals continue.
Who was Rohit Arya — what is known
- Age and identity: Multiple reports identify the suspect as Rohit Arya, a man in his thirties (reports vary; several outlets give his age around mid-30s). He has been described as being associated with the RA Studio, where the auditions were being held.
- How he operated: Police and press reports say Arya contacted children (some outlets say he called over 100 children for auditions) and brought a group to the studio for what they believed were legitimate acting/ audition classes.
- Once inside, he locked them in and made threats.
- Mental state and motive: Authorities have described Arya as appearing psychologically unstable, and investigators say his precise motive remains unknown.
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- There are conflicting characterizations in early reporting, and police continue to probe his background, any prior criminal record, and why he targeted auditions and children.
- Dozens of outlets emphasize that the motive has not yet been established.
What Rohit Arya said in the video circulating on social media
A short video attributed to the suspect circulated before and during the standoff.
In it, Arya introduced himself and explained — in his words — that he was “not a terrorist”, that he did not want money, and that his purpose was to ask “moral” questions of certain people.
He said he had considered suicide but instead “made a plan” and took hostages so he could force answers; he warned that if provoked, he might set the studio on fire and harm the children.
Quotations summarising his message were widely reported (the wording below is a paraphrase of his statements as published by several outlets):
“I am Rohit Arya. Instead of committing suicide I made a plan and have taken some children hostage. I am not a terrorist; I do not want money. I want to ask moral questions to certain people — if their answers prompt more questions I will ask them. Don’t provoke me; if provoked I will take steps that could harm the children.”
How the police managed the rescue
Rapid deployment: Immediately after the incident was reported, Powai police called in specialized teams — Quick Reaction Teams (QRT), commandos, and bomb-squad/bomb disposal units because of the chemicals reported on site.
Negotiation attempts: Negotiators engaged the suspect and tried to persuade him to release the children. Police also evacuated and cordoned off the surrounding area to protect civilians and allow tactical maneuvers.
Tactical breach: When negotiations failed and the suspect fired at police using an air gun, commandos forced an entry — some reports say via a rear grill — to reach the hostages.
Police returned fire; the suspect sustained a gunshot injury and was taken to the hospital.
Hostages freed: Officers evacuated the children and the two adults; they were examined and reunited with their families at the scene.
No injuries to children were reported. Police seized the air gun and the chemicals for forensic analysis.
What is still unknown / what investigators are focusing on
Motive: Why Arya targeted auditioning children, and what he meant by “moral questions.” Investigators are reviewing his social media, phone records, any past mental-health or criminal records, and who he expected to speak to.
Nature of chemicals: The recovered chemicals are under analysis to determine if they posed a real threat or were intended to intimidate.
Exact victim count and timeline details: Early reports vary (15–20 children); official counts and an exact minute-by-minute timeline will be released as police file their formal case.
Bottom line
A planned audition turned into a terrifying hostage crisis in Powai. Thanks to a rapid, coordinated police response involving negotiators and tactical teams, all the children and adults were rescued unharmed.
The suspect, Rohit Arya, who publicly claimed he wanted “moral answers” rather than money or political aims, was shot during the rescue and later died in the hospital. Authorities continue to investigate his background, mental state, and motive, and are analyzing evidence seized at the scene.
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