Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: New details have surfaced about Rohit Arya, the 38-year-old filmmaker shot dead by Mumbai Police after holding 17 children hostage at a Powai acting studio. Investigations reveal a history of erratic conduct and a long-standing rental dispute that painted a picture of growing instability in the months leading up to the shocking incident.
From Tenancy Trouble to Police Intervention
Records show that on October 28, 2024, a 36-month rental agreement was signed under the name of Arya’s wife, Anjali Arya, for a flat in the Shivtirth Nagar area of Kothrud, owned by a person named Deshpande. However, soon after moving in, neighbours began complaining about the couple’s “inappropriate behaviour.” As complaints mounted, the landlord issued a notice asking them to vacate the property within a month.
Rohit reportedly refused to comply and stopped paying rent. When served with a legal notice on March 2, 2025, he retaliated by demanding ₹2 lakh as compensation to vacate the flat. A series of written exchanges followed through late March, with Rohit insisting on monetary compensation. The dispute was finally “settled” after the owner agreed to pay ₹1.75 lakh and a formal agreement was signed. Yet, Arya and his wife allegedly continued to occupy the flat, forcing the owner to involve the police. The couple ultimately vacated the residence in May 2025 and moved in with relatives.
Hostage Crisis in Powai
The grim culmination of Arya’s erratic behaviour occurred on October 30, 2025, when he confined 17 children and two adults inside his RA Studio in Powai, calling them for what he claimed was a film “audition.” Police negotiators tried to de-escalate the situation for over two hours before a rescue team entered the building through a rear entrance. Arya was shot during the operation and later succumbed to his injuries, while all hostages were rescued unharmed.
Motives and Government Denial
Before the standoff, Arya recorded a video claiming he had taken the drastic step over non-payment of dues for a project allegedly done for the Maharashtra Education Department. He claimed the government owed him money for an urban sanitation initiative. The state, however, has firmly denied these allegations, stating Arya’s company had been under review for financial irregularities and was never sanctioned for full payment.
A Pattern of Instability
The tenancy dispute, financial grievances, and growing public frustration appear to have spiralled into the desperate and violent act that shook Mumbai. Police sources say Arya’s history indicates a pattern of “aggressive and erratic” behaviour that escalated over time. Authorities are now examining his digital records, communications, and business dealings to determine whether others were involved in his grievances or if the crisis stemmed solely from personal breakdown and paranoia.
