A tense hostage situation unfolded in Mumbai when filmmaker Rohit Aarrya, who was shooting a web series, held 17 teenagers captive in a studio. Aarrya had meticulously prepared for an extended siege, stocking up on food for the duration and even reinforcing the studio’s security with CCTV cameras linked to his phone.
Adding a disturbing layer to the incident, Aarrya had apparently told the hostages and his assistant that he was making a short film about children rebelling against corruption, which included a kidnapping scene. This story was likely a cover for his actual preparations for the hostage crisis.
Further evidence of his planning emerged as it was revealed Aarrya had also acquired flammable liquids and firecrackers. His assistant recounted being asked to procure these items, suggesting a heightened level of premeditation. The studio’s extension, which Aarrya arranged, also points towards his intent to prolong the situation.
During the crisis, Aarrya’s assistant, who was confined to the ground floor, managed to alert the police. The police, after a tactical entry through a first-floor toilet window, confronted Aarrya, resulting in his death. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities gathering statements and recreating the events to understand the full scope of the incident.
The parents of the hostages shared their ordeal, with one mother-in-law recounting how she had secured some children in a room, providing them with food and water to keep them calm amidst the unfolding drama.
The police have registered a case against Aarrya, investigating charges including attempted murder and negligent conduct with combustible matter.