MUMBAI: As many as 19 persons including 17 teenage children held hostage by a man inside a studio in Mumbai's Powai area were safely rescued by police on Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The man, identified as Rohit Arya, was taken into custody at the end of the drama that unfolded for about an hour.

"All the children are safe and have been handed over to their parents," said Satyanaranyan, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order).

Arya had apparently called the children -- boys and girls around 15 years old -- for an audition for a web series, the official said.

Arya was also carrying an air gun and some chemicals, he added.

Police received a call at about 1.45 pm about a man holding children hostage inside R A Studio in Mahavir Classic building, said Deputy Commissioner of P

See Full Page