Grandma Rescues Children from Kidnapper's Lair at Web Series Audition

On October 29, 2025, a terrifying incident unfolded at a web series audition in Mumbai. Mangal Patankar, a 75-year-old woman, had accompanied her granddaughter to the RA Studio in Powai for the audition. What was supposed to be a routine casting call soon turned into a harrowing ordeal as the studio was taken over by a kidnapper named Rohit Aarrya.

Aarrya held the children captive, threatening to shoot the parents if they did not arrange a ransom of Rs 1 crore for each child. For three days, the Patankar family and other parents were forced to go to the studio, with Mangal being kept inside with the children. She tried to protect and reassure the young ones, even helping them communicate with their worried parents outside.

When the police finally stormed the studio on the fourth day, Mangal was injured in the chaos as glass shattered around her. However, her quick thinking and bravery ensured the children's safety. The authorities were able to rescue all the captives and apprehend the kidnapper, who had planned to release the web series to recoup his losses.

Mangal's ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in the most seemingly innocuous situations. Her resilience and compassion in the face of terror have made her a true hero in the eyes of the community.