Pune: Rohit Aarrya, who tragically lost his life after holding 17 teenagers hostage during a web series shoot in a Powai studio and being subsequently shot by Mumbai Police, was cremated in Pune early Saturday. The 50-year-old had held 17 individuals, including 16 children aged between 10 and 12, and one adult, captive for three tense hours on Thursday. The situation was resolved when police successfully rescued all hostages and neutralized Aarrya.
Following a postmortem examination at Mumbai’s JJ Hospital, Aarrya’s body was transported to Pune via ambulance. His last rites were performed in the presence of his wife, son, and close relatives. The cremation ceremony took place around 2:30 AM at the Vaikunth Crematorium in Pune’s Navi Peth area.
According to police officials, Aarrya had been living separately from his family in Pune for several years and had limited contact with them during this period, suggesting he led a largely solitary life. Investigators are looking into his past, including a protest he staged a few years ago against the Maharashtra education department regarding withheld payments for a project.
During the hostage incident, Aarrya released a video stating his desire for answers and a “simple conversation,” which led him to hold the children hostage at an audition theatre in Powai.
Neighbors of Aarrya’s parents in Kothrud, Pune, expressed shock and described the family as well-educated and private. They noted that Aarrya’s father, A.R. Harolikar, is a heart patient and comes from a respected, educated background, having graduated from the College of Engineering, Pune, and run a business. The couple’s other two children reside abroad.
Mumbai Police confirmed that Aarrya was shot dead after he opened fire and injured two hostages. The ongoing investigation is focusing on his mental state, online activities, and the underlying motive behind the hostage crisis.