Mumbai – The Mumbai hostage incident that ended with police shooting Rohit Aarrya has taken a disturbing turn as new details emerge about his activities leading up to the crisis. The incident, which saw 17 children and three adults held hostage at a Powai studio, now reveals a chilling pattern of behavior involving Marathi actors and film project discussions, some eerily centered around hostage situations.
Background of the Mumbai Hostage Incident
On October 30, the Mumbai hostage incident unfolded at RA Studio in Powai, where Rohit Aarrya took 20 people hostage before being fatally shot by police. The crisis ended tragically, but investigations now show that Aarrya had been actively contacting actors in the Marathi film industry for weeks prior, discussing potential film collaborations.
What makes this case particularly unsettling is that some of these proposed film projects involved themes directly related to hostage situations, raising questions about whether Aarrya was planning the incident while simultaneously pitching it as fictional content.
Girish Oak’s Visit to RA Studio
Veteran Marathi actor Girish Oak revealed his connection to the Mumbai hostage incident when he disclosed visiting RA Studio just one day before the crisis erupted. On October 29, at approximately 11 am, Oak arrived at the Powai location after being contacted by someone who had briefly worked with him previously.
“A person who had worked with me briefly in the past contacted me on behalf of Arya for a role in his film,” Oak explained. He was informed that Aarrya had produced movies earlier, which gave him confidence to proceed with the meeting.
Oak arrived at the studio at 11 am, with Aarrya joining him around 11:05 am. During their discussion, they talked about a project based on a social cause. Oak noticed numerous children present at the studio and inquired about them. Aarrya explained they were attending a workshop.
The children gathered to take a group photo with the veteran actor, and some parents waiting outside also clicked selfies with him. Oak departed from the studio around noon, completely unaware that within 24 hours, the location would become the site of the Mumbai hostage incident.
Ruchita Jadhav’s Narrow Escape
Another crucial revelation about the Mumbai hostage incident came from actor Ruchita Jadhav, who shared a personal account on Instagram that sent chills through the entertainment community. Her story revealed just how close she came to being present during the crisis.
“Hi everyone, I want to share something very personal that has shaken me deeply. On 4th October, I was contacted by someone named Rohit Arya regarding a film project. The subject he described was about a hostage situation. As an actor, I agreed to hear more,” Jadhav wrote in her Instagram stories.
The coincidence of Aarrya pitching a film about a hostage situation before actually orchestrating the Mumbai hostage incident has disturbed many in the industry. Jadhav’s account provides insight into Aarrya’s planning and his systematic approach to engaging actors.
Timeline of Contact
According to Jadhav’s testimony, on October 23, Aarrya asked if they could meet on October 27, 28, or 29. She confirmed availability for October 28. On October 27—just three days before the Mumbai hostage incident—Aarrya sent her detailed information, including the location of his studio in Powai, and requested a meeting for the following day.
However, fate intervened when Jadhav had to cancel the meeting due to an unavoidable family commitment. This cancellation may have saved her from being present during the Mumbai hostage incident, as the meeting would have placed her at RA Studio during the critical period leading up to the crisis.
Pattern of Behavior
The revelations from both Oak and Jadhav paint a picture of someone systematically reaching out to industry professionals while planning something far more sinister. The Mumbai hostage incident was not a spontaneous act but appears to have been orchestrated while Aarrya simultaneously maintained a facade of legitimate business operations.
The presence of children at the studio on October 29, presented as a “workshop,” now takes on a more ominous tone given what transpired during the Mumbai hostage incident the following day. The 17 children and three adults who became hostages were likely part of similar activities promoted as legitimate film industry workshops.
Questions About Studio Operations
The Mumbai hostage incident has prompted serious questions about how RA Studio operated and whether there were warning signs that authorities or industry members should have noticed. Aarrya’s claim of being a film producer, his engagement with established actors, and the presence of children at his facility all contributed to an appearance of legitimacy that masked his true intentions.
Industry Response
The Marathi film industry has been shaken by the Mumbai hostage incident and the revelation that one of their own narrowly escaped involvement. Both Oak and Jadhav’s testimonies have prompted discussions about safety protocols and due diligence when actors are approached for projects by unfamiliar producers.
Conclusion
The Mumbai hostage incident serves as a stark reminder of how predators can exploit legitimate industries to mask criminal intentions. The tragic ending, with Aarrya being shot dead by police, closed one chapter but opened many questions about how such situations can be prevented in the future. The accounts from Girish Oak and Ruchita Jadhav provide crucial context about the perpetrator’s state of mind and planning in the days leading up to the crisis.
