Mumbai, Apr 2 (Mid-day) : Rahul Laxman Rajage's (25) failed suicide attempt took a dramatic turn when firemen rushed to rescue him from the well he was planning to drown himself in.

A resident of Mehta Society in Bhawani Peth, Rajage jumped into a 40-foot well in his building premises around 11 am last morning.

But, before he took the leap, he created a commotion and made sure he had an audience to see him bid the world goodbye.
The drama

His cries drew the attention of the entire society who gathered to see the outcome of the situation.

As soon as people started to gather, he immediately took the plunge. When the firemen arrived, they had a tough time convincing Rajage to accept their help. Even after repeated attempts by the fire officials, Rajage was adamant in taking his own life, and refused to come out.
Rescued

The mouth of the well was guarded with metallic nets. After he jumped inside, he wasn't able to pull through, and grabbed onto a rock for dear life.

Back to reality: After an hour-long rescue attempt, Rahul Rajage was pulled out of the well and sent for a medical check-up to Sassoon Hospital. Later, Rajage was discharged from the hospital, as he had no injuries

Back to reality: After an hour-long rescue attempt, Rahul Rajage was pulled out of the well and sent for a medical check-up to Sassoon Hospital. Later, Rajage was discharged from the hospital, as he had no injuries
When the team of firemen were trying to rescue him, he yelled back saying that if anyone tried to rescue him, he would let go of the rock's support.

"First, we tried to convince him, and then, two of our firemen slowly went down to get hold of him. Then, with the help of ropes we tied him and pulled him out of the well," said fireman Dilip Bibve.

After an hour, Rajage was out of the danger zone and was sent for a medical check-up to Sassoon Hospital. He survived without any injuries.

Copspeak

D A Patil, senior police inspector at Samarth police station said, "Technically speaking it is a crime under IPC section 309 for attempting suicide, but in this case, after jumping into the well, he held on to the support. This was just a stunt to gain people's attention.

We have not registered any FIR, but a warning has been given to him and as well as his parents, so that he refrains from repeating such acts in the future."

Reel to real life

In the 1975 classic Sholay, a drunk Dharmendra, who plays the character of Veeru, threatens to jump from a water tower. In the scene, the villagers gather around to watch the drama unfold.