MUMBAI: A tense hostage situation unfolded in Powai on Thursday when Rohit Arya, 50, took 17 children and two adults captive at RA Studio. Arya claimed he wanted to have a conversation with certain individuals and threatened to harm the children if his demands were not met. He was shot during the rescue operation and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Before the police intervened, Arya posted a chilling video online, stating, "I am Rohit Arya. Instead of (committing) suicide, I made a plan and have taken a few children hostage. I have very simple demands. I want to speak to some people and on their answers, if there are any counter-questions, I want to ask them. But I want these answers. I do not want anything else. I am not a terrorist, nor do I have any demand of money. Want to make simple conversations."

He warned of dire consequences if provoked, saying, "The slightest wrong move from your end will trigger me to set this whole place on fire and die in it. Whether I die or not, the children will be unnecessarily hurt and traumatised definitely."

The incident began around 1:30 PM when the Powai police received a distress call. Arya had lured the children, aged between 8 and 14, under the pretext of auditions for a web series. The police quickly mobilised teams, including the Quick Response Team and Bomb Detection Squad, to the scene.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade stated, "The police initially tried to negotiate with Arya but were forced to act when talks failed. To save the children’s lives was our priority." The police managed to rescue all hostages safely by entering through a bathroom window using a ladder.

After the rescue, MLA Murji Patel visited the children at Seven Hills Hospital, confirming their safety. The police are now investigating Arya's motives and mental state, as he had been filming with the group for several days prior to the incident without any signs of threat. An air gun and chemicals were recovered from the scene, and authorities are working to understand the full context of Arya's actions.