Mumbai found itself gripped by a real-life thriller on Thursday (October 30) when Rohit Arya allegedly held around 17–20 children hostage at a Powai acting studio — a scene that immediately reminded many of plots from Bollywood films A Thursday, A Wednesday and Madaari, where ordinary individuals go to extreme lengths in pursuit of justice or answers.
Arya’s chilling video surfaced online soon after, where he claimed he was not a “terrorist” and warned authorities that he would “set everything on fire” if stopped. In his statement, Arya said he had “simple, moral and ethical demands” and did not want money — language that social media users felt echoed cinematic vigilante narratives.
Parallels with popular thrillers
In A Thursday (2022), Yami Gautam plays a teacher who holds 16 preschool kids hostage to expose hypocrisy in the system. A Wednesday (2008) saw Naseeruddin Shah’s character force authorities to confront terrorism through drastic steps, while Irrfan Khan’s Madaari (2016) depicted a desperate father resorting to kidnapping a minister’s son to demand accountability.
All three films examine the thin line between frustration and rebellion — a theme many online users referenced as the Powai standoff unfolded.
Behind the hostage drama
According to police, Arya allegedly kept the children inside an acting studio at RA Studios, Powai, and threatened to ignite the premises if anyone intervened. Visuals showed frightened children at the windows as parents gathered outside anxiously. Police sealed the area and launched a rescue operation that lasted nearly two hours.
Before the incident, Arya had reportedly posted a video stating: “Instead of committing suicide, I have made a plan and kept some kids here… I’m not a terrorist. I just want answers.”
https://TWITTER.com/Rajmajiofficial/status/1983862404221227400/video/1
Swift police action
Mumbai Police, supported by the Fire Brigade, used hydraulic tools to enter the studio and safely rescue all children. Officers recovered an air gun and chemicals from the spot. Arya was detained and later succumbed to bullet injuries after the police encounter, according to reports.
Police have launched a detailed investigation into Arya’s motives and psychological state, including whether cinema narratives may have influenced his actions.
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