Is Anand Gandhi's ‘Maya’ a Bold Move to Influence Society with Fiction?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- MAYA aims to empower audiences against digital manipulation.
- It addresses significant societal issues through storytelling.
- The narrative universe is a collaborative effort from various experts.
- The first novel will be available on August 19, 2025.
- It blends science fiction with deep philosophical inquiries.
Mumbai, August 1 (NationPress) Renowned filmmaker Anand Gandhi and game designer Zain Memon have introduced the MAYA Narrative Universe—a groundbreaking mythology tailored for the AI era.
In light of the ongoing narrative manipulation, Gandhi articulated, “We’re experiencing an unprecedented experiment in narrative control in human history. MAYA serves as a countermeasure. It does more than entertain; it empowers. It unveils the unseen structures of control, from the digital footprints we create to the subconscious influences we fail to recognize. This universe acts as a toolset for safeguarding against digital manipulation.”
Game designer and tech specialist Zain Memon (known for SHASN, AZADI) remarked, “Maya isn’t a tale of heroes and villains. It addresses the pivotal struggles of our civilization today: truth vs dogma, innovation vs stagnation, freedom vs control, and the divide between the haves and have-nots.”
Created by visionary filmmaker Anand Gandhi (recognized for Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad) and innovative game designer Zain Memon (SHASN, AZADI), “Maya” represents a pioneering science-fiction fantasy born from the creative storytelling collective, Department of Lore Inc.
The Maya narrative universe spans an array of storytelling mediums—from films and games to novels, toys, graphic novels, and immersive experiences. The adventure initiates with the global release of the inaugural novel, Maya: Seed Takes Root, set for August 19, 2025.
Fusing elements of science fiction, fantasy, and profound philosophical exploration, Maya is designed for the hyperconnected, hyperaware individuals of today. It grapples with often-ignored questions—examining how our thoughts are swayed, decisions are subtly influenced, and futures are quietly shaped.
Developed over four years by the Department of Lore, the Maya universe is the outcome of a fruitful collaboration with experts, including evolutionary biologists, linguists, architects, philosophers, and systems theorists.