Ranvir Shorey on his 90s brush with pyramid schemes: 'It seemed like a legit thing'
Synopsis
Ranvir Shorey's new Prime Video series 'The Pyramid Scheme' hits differently when you know the lead actor actually brushed up against one in real life. His admission that such schemes 'seemed like a legit thing' in the 90s is both a personal anecdote and a sharp reminder of how financial predators thrived in an era of low awareness and high aspiration.
Key Takeaways
Ranvir Shorey revealed he personally encountered a pyramid scheme in the 1990s , before his television career began.
He was present at an event run by such a company but clarified he was not a participant in the scheme.
Shorey plays Manoj Srivastav in 'The Pyramid Scheme' , a man whose bottled-up hopes make him susceptible to financial fraud.
The series is produced by The Viral Fever , created and co-directed by Shreyansh Pandey , and streams on Prime Video .
Shorey credited directors Ashish R Shukla and Shreyansh Pandey for enabling his performance in the role.
Actor Ranvir Shorey has revealed that he personally encountered a pyramid scheme during his early career in the 1990s, long before such operations became widely understood as fraudulent. The disclosure came during promotional interactions for his new streaming series 'The Pyramid Scheme', which has been drawing strong viewership since its release on Prime Video.
Shorey's Real-Life Encounter
Speaking at the show's promotions alongside co-stars Paramvir Cheema, Shreyansh Pandey, and Shekhar Suman, Shorey recalled stumbling into the world of multi-level marketing before his television career took off. 'Yes, I think in my younger days, when I used to sound before my TV career. There was a company in which I had sounded at an event. But that's about it. Sometimes in such a scheme, not as a participant. But I have seen such schemes,' he said.
He noted that public awareness around such schemes was far lower at the time. 'At that time, it was not as known as it is now. It seemed like a legit thing where you can have it as a career option. But now, of course, people are wiser,' Shorey added.
The Character He Plays
In 'The Pyramid Scheme', Shorey essays the role of Manoj Srivastav, a man whose suppressed aspirations make him vulnerable to the false promises of such a racket. The actor described the character as representative of a broad section of society.
'Like making a living, feeding the family. So there is that hope which is kind of bottled up inside. So, I play the character whose hope gets hooked into this scheme,' he said. Shorey credited directors Ashish R Shukla and Shreyansh Pandey for helping him bring the role to life, saying he 'probably wouldn't have managed to play this part' without their guidance.
About the Show
'The Pyramid Scheme' is produced by The Viral Fever and created by Shreyansh Pandey. It is co-directed by Ashish R Shukla and Shreyansh Pandey, and is currently streaming on Prime Video. The series arrives at a moment of renewed public interest in financial fraud narratives, following a wave of similar content across Indian streaming platforms.
Wider Relevance
Pyramid and multi-level marketing schemes have long preyed on aspirational middle-class households in India, particularly during the economic liberalisation era of the 1990s when new business models were poorly regulated and less scrutinised. Shorey's candid recollection adds a layer of authenticity to the show's premise, underscoring that the stories it tells are grounded in lived experience rather than fiction alone.
Point of View
Urban — could mistake such a scheme for a 'legit career option' speaks to how effectively these operations disguised themselves. The show's real value may lie less in entertainment and more in retroactive public education about a fraud model that, despite greater awareness, continues to evolve and ensnare new victims.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'The Pyramid Scheme' on Prime Video?
'The Pyramid Scheme' is an Indian streaming series produced by The Viral Fever, created and co-directed by Shreyansh Pandey, and available on Prime Video. It stars Ranvir Shorey as Manoj Srivastav, a man drawn into a fraudulent pyramid scheme.
What did Ranvir Shorey say about his real-life pyramid scheme experience?
Shorey said he encountered a pyramid scheme company during his pre-television career in the 1990s, attending one of their events, though not as a scheme participant. He recalled that such schemes 'seemed like a legit thing' at the time due to limited public awareness.
Who directed 'The Pyramid Scheme'?
The series is co-directed by Ashish R Shukla and Shreyansh Pandey. It is produced by The Viral Fever and created by Shreyansh Pandey.
Who else stars in 'The Pyramid Scheme' alongside Ranvir Shorey?
The show's promotional events featured Paramvir Cheema, Shreyansh Pandey, and Shekhar Suman alongside Ranvir Shorey, indicating the ensemble cast of the series.
Why are pyramid schemes particularly resonant in the Indian context?
Pyramid and multi-level marketing schemes have historically targeted aspirational middle-class Indians, especially during the 1990s when financial regulation and public awareness were limited. Shorey's character — a man with bottled-up dreams and immediate financial pressures — reflects a demographic that remains vulnerable to such fraud.
