'The Pyramid Scheme' director Shreyansh Pandey: Idea brewed for 15 years
Synopsis
'The Pyramid Scheme' director Shreyansh Pandey sat on this idea for nearly 15 years — and the numbers he cites explain why it demanded to be told. Over 5,000 companies and more than 5 crore reported victims in two decades, with the real figure likely far higher because shame keeps most victims silent. That human cost is the engine of this Prime Video series.
Key Takeaways
Director Shreyansh Pandey says the idea for 'The Pyramid Scheme' has been with him since 2011 — nearly 15 years .
He estimates more than 5,000 companies have run pyramid schemes in India over the last 20 years , affecting over 5 crore people by reported figures alone.
Pandey highlights that actual victim numbers are likely far higher, as shame prevents most from filing complaints or disclosing losses to family.
The series features actors Ranvir Shorey , Paramvir Cheema , and Shekhar Suman .
The show is produced by The Viral Fever , directed by Ashish R Shukla and Shreyansh Pandey , and streams on Prime Video .
Director Shreyansh Pandey, the creative force behind the streaming series 'The Pyramid Scheme', has revealed that the concept gestated within him for nearly 15 years before it finally made it to screen. Speaking during the show's promotional circuit in Mumbai, Pandey outlined the deeply personal and extensively researched origins of the project.
A Story Over a Decade in the Making
Pandey confirmed that the idea has been with him since 2011, though cracking the core narrative proved elusive for much of that period. 'This is a story that has been going on with us since 2011. And we were not able to crack it at the core for a very long time. And then finally it happened,' he said during the promotions, which also featured actors Ranvir Shorey, Paramvir Cheema, and Shekhar Suman.
The Scale of Pyramid Scheme Fraud in India
Pandey cited staggering figures to underscore why the subject demanded a full-length treatment. 'I feel that in the last 20 years, there are more than 5,000 companies who have done this. There are more than 5 crore people with whom this has happened. And this is the number that has been reported,' he said. He stressed that the actual toll is likely far higher, as victims frequently stay silent out of shame — unwilling to file a complaint or even disclose the loss to family and friends.
Why Victims Stay Silent
The director highlighted a critical dimension of the ponzi scheme crisis that official data routinely undercounts: the social stigma that keeps victims from coming forward. 'When it breaks, you don't have the courage to go and report a case. Even to tell your family, friends, or people around you that this has happened to me. So, there are a lot of unreported cases,' Pandey explained. This silence, he noted, is by design — pyramid schemes exploit trust networks, making disclosure feel like a personal failure rather than a crime.
A Universal, Personal Experience
Pandey described the subject as one that touches almost every household in India in some form. 'Even today, when we talk to someone, either that person has seen it directly. Or there are a lot of people in his family — someone's uncle, someone's brother, someone's aunt, sister — who have gone through this,' he said. The team conducted extensive research before arriving at the final shape of the series.
About the Show
'The Pyramid Scheme' is produced by The Viral Fever, created by Shreyansh Pandey, and directed by Ashish R Shukla and Shreyansh Pandey. The series is currently available to stream on Prime Video.
Point of View
With the real number suppressed by shame, points to a systemic failure that regulators and mainstream media have consistently underreported. For Indian streaming, this is a test of whether long-form investigative drama can move public understanding of financial crime in ways that news cycles have not.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'The Pyramid Scheme' and where can I watch it?
'The Pyramid Scheme' is a streaming series produced by The Viral Fever, created and co-directed by Shreyansh Pandey alongside Ashish R Shukla. It is currently available to stream on Prime Video.
How long did Shreyansh Pandey develop the idea for the show?
Pandey has said the idea has been with him since 2011 — close to 15 years. He noted that cracking the core narrative took a very long time before the project finally came together.
How many people in India have been affected by pyramid schemes, according to the director?
Pandey cited figures suggesting more than 5 crore people have been affected by pyramid schemes run by over 5,000 companies in the last 20 years. He stressed these are reported numbers and that the actual figure is likely considerably higher due to widespread under-reporting.
Why do pyramid scheme victims not report the crime?
According to Pandey, victims are often too ashamed to file a complaint or even tell family and friends. The social stigma of having been deceived — particularly when the scheme exploits personal trust networks — keeps the majority of cases unreported.
Who are the actors in 'The Pyramid Scheme'?
The series features Ranvir Shorey, Paramvir Cheema, and Shekhar Suman, among others. The cast participated in the show's promotional events alongside director Shreyansh Pandey.
