In a recent episode of the podcast ‘Young, Dumb & Anxious,’ the daughters of two acclaimed Indian filmmakers, Anurag Kashyap and Imtiaz Ali, revisited a traumatic experience from their childhood. Aaliyah Kashyap and Ida Ali recalled being tied to chairs and gagged by a house help in an attempted robbery. The revelation has stirred significant public interest, shedding light on an incident where they were “not kidnapped technically because we were at home,” as Aaliyah described, but were unmistakably part of a harrowing robbery.
The unsettling incident took place when both families resided in the same building. On the fateful day, their parents were out together, leaving Aaliyah and Ida under the supervision of Aaliyah’s maternal grandmother and a trusted female house help. “Her parents and my parents were going out together somewhere and she (Ida) was staying at my house. My nani was watching us and so was our didi, who was working in our house at the time,” recounted Aaliyah.
As the parents departed, the house help who was supposed to care for the young girls unleashed terror instead. She locked Aaliyah’s grandmother in a room and proceeded to subdue the girls by taping their mouths and tying their hands to chairs. “We were crying and freaking out because we thought we are going to die,” Aaliyah remembered, describing the extent of their fear as the house help rummaged through their home, gathering valuables like jewelry and money.
The ordeal could have lasted longer, but fate intervened when Aaliyah’s mother, Aarti Bajaj, unexpectedly returned home 15 minutes later to retrieve a forgotten item. Aarti walked in on an alarming scene that no parent should ever witness: her daughter and Ida bound and gagged, clearly distressed. “Thankfully, my mom had left something and she came back like 15-20 minutes later to pick it up and she saw everything that had happened,” Aaliyah said. Aarti immediately called for help, summoning their parents, including Aaliyah’s father, Anurag Kashyap. “It was obviously traumatic, but it would have been a lot more traumatic if we went through that alone,” Aaliyah reflected on the frightening incident.
For context, Anurag Kashyap, celebrated for his directorial work in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur,’ shares daughter Aaliyah with his ex-wife, Aarti Bajaj, a distinguished film editor.
. The couple, who married in 1997, divorced in 2009. Aaliyah has forged her own path as a social media influencer, utilizing platforms like Instagram and YouTube to endorse various brands and create content.
On the other hand, Ida is the daughter of Imtiaz Ali, another luminary in the Indian film industry, known for his directorial gems like ‘Jab We Met,’ and ‘Rockstar.’ Imtiaz was married to Preety Ali for a decade before their separation in 2012.
The podcast episode that featured Ida and Aaliyah has garnered considerable attention, not just because of the incidents of that horrifying night but also because it highlights the importance of open conversations about trauma and trust. The recounting of their shared ordeal serves as a poignant reminder of the unexpected dangers that can lurk even within our homes. It also underscores the lasting impact such experiences can have on individuals, binding them together in what’s known as trauma bonding.
The notion of trauma bonding was a central theme in their discussion. This psychological concept, which explains the intense emotional ties formed between individuals during shared trauma, is evident in the lifelong friendship between Aaliyah and Ida. Their bond, forged in the crucible of a terrifying but ultimately survivable ordeal, is a testament to human resilience and the unbreakable ties that can form through shared adversities.
As public figures, both Aaliyah and Ida have used their platforms to raise awareness about various issues, including mental health and personal safety. By openly discussing their harrowing experience, they not only validate their own feelings and recovery but also offer solace and solidarity to others who may have faced similar situations.
In these times, the conversation brought forth by Aaliyah and Ida is crucial. It encourages diligence in choosing whom we trust within our homes and serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected threats that can be mitigated with vigilance and awareness. Their story is a telling chapter in their lives, reminding audiences everywhere that even in safety, there lies an unseen vulnerability, and through shared stories, we find strength and healing.
