Mumbai Audition Turns Shocking: 20 Children Held Hostage in Powai, Suspect Arrested

A planned film audition in Powai ended in a terrifying hostage situation when a man held about 20 children captive inside a ground-floor studio. Police responded quickly after a video circulated in which the suspect identified himself and described his intentions. He was taken into custody at the scene and the children were removed safely.

Suspect arrested after video warning

Police said they acted swiftly once the video surfaced and reached the location soon after the children were taken. Officers secured the premises and brought all the children out of harm's way.

In the video, the man said he had chosen hostage-taking instead of suicide in order to force conversations with unspecified people. "I am Rohit Arya. Instead of dying by suicide, I have made a plan and am holding some children hostage here," he said, listing what he described as "simple demands, moral demands, ethical demands, and a few questions." He warned that "the slightest wrong move from you will trigger me" and threatened to set the place on fire, adding that he did not seek money and was "not a terrorist".

Where it happened and what was found

The incident took place at RA Studios, located on the ground floor of a building in Powai, where the children had assembled for an audition. Investigators recovered what appeared to be an air gun at the site along with several chemical containers. Forensic and bomb squad teams are expected to examine the items to assess the level of danger.

Police statement and ongoing inquiries

Mumbai Police told news agency ANI that "a man, identified as Rohit Arya, has held a few children hostage in Powai area of Mumbai."

They added that Arya had released a video in which he purportedly claimed he wanted to speak with certain people and threatened to "set everything on fire and harm himself and the children" if his demands were not met.

Authorities have detained the suspect and are questioning him to establish motive and whether others were involved. Parents and relatives were reunited with the children at the scene and authorities are ensuring they receive any needed medical or psychological support. Investigations remain active as police collect evidence and interview witnesses.