Reel Turns Real: Rohit Arya’s ‘Hostage Shoot’ in Mumbai Ends in Tragic Standoff

What was meant to be a film shoot turned into a terrifying real-life ordeal in Mumbai on Thursday, when a man named Rohit Arya — who told his crew he was filming a hostage sequence — held 17 people captive inside a Powai studio before being shot dead by police.

According to Arya’s longtime videographer, Rohan Aher, the filmmaker had said they were going to shoot a hostage drama involving children — a storyline eerily similar to the events that later unfolded.

Arya took 17 children and two adults hostage at R A Studio in Powai during what began as a regular shoot. The three-hour standoff ended with police storming the building and fatally shooting Arya after negotiations failed.

Aher, who had worked with Arya for a decade, said none of the crew suspected the “scene” would turn into a real-life crisis. On Wednesday, Arya had asked him to bring five litres of petrol and firecrackers for the shoot. “I didn’t bring them because children were supposed to be there,” Aher said.

By Thursday morning, the situation spiraled. Aher said Arya ordered him to lock all entry points, claiming it was for a fire sequence. Moments later, Arya poured a rubber solution and set it ablaze in front of the frightened children.

When Aher and others pleaded with him to stop, Arya threatened them with an air gun. Aher escaped, alerting bystanders to call the police, and later tried to rescue the hostages by breaking a glass window — injuring his hand in the process. Arya allegedly used pepper spray on him, causing him to fall down the stairs.

Police soon arrived and began negotiations. Aher managed to help several children escape before gunfire erupted. Four hostages were still trapped inside when Arya was shot in the chest by police. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.