A New Mythology for the AI Age: Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon Launch the MAYA Narrative Universe

In a bold move that redefines the boundaries of storytelling, visionary filmmaker Anand Gandhi and trailblazing game designer Zain Memon have launched the MAYA Narrative Universe. This ambitious project from their studio, Department of Lore Inc., is being hailed as a new mythology for the age of artificial intelligence, weaving together science fiction, fantasy, and deep philosophical inquiry.

MAYA is not just a single story, but a monumental universe unfolding across every medium that shapes modern culture: films, games, novels, graphic novels, and immersive experiences. The first entry point into this sprawling world is the novel, "Maya: Seed Takes Root," which is set to launch globally on August 19, 2025.

The core of MAYA is a profound exploration of power, control, and the invisible forces that shape our lives. The universe is set on the planet Neh, where a sentient biological network of trees, known as "Maya," serves as the living internet. Every citizen on Neh "tethers" to this network, entering shared dreamscapes for work, learning, and personal desires. This process, however, is a subtle form of control. The data harvested from these shared dreams is used by immortal beings, the Divyas, to predict and shape billions of possible futures. Their philosophy is simple and chillingly relevant to our own world: “Why issue commands when you can shape desires?”

According to Anand Gandhi, the creator of acclaimed films like Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad, MAYA is a direct response to what he calls "the greatest experiment in narrative control in human history." He states that the universe is designed to be more than just entertainment; it's a "toolkit for immunity against digital manipulation." It aims to demystify the unseen architecture of control, from data trails to subconscious nudges, empowering audiences to think critically about the information they consume.

Echoing this sentiment, Zain Memon, the mind behind celebrated games like SHASN, explains that MAYA eschews traditional hero-versus-villain narratives. Instead, it focuses on the defining conflicts of our time: truth vs. dogma, innovation vs. stagnation, and freedom vs. control. The stories are told from multiple perspectives across different species, each with unique ways of perceiving reality, offering a deeper, systemic truth without simple answers.

The depth and complexity of the MAYA universe are a testament to the four years of meticulous development at the Department of Lore. Gandhi and Memon have collaborated with a diverse group of experts, including evolutionary biologists, linguists, architects, and philosophers. The result is a world with fully mapped-out evolutionary and political histories, speculative architecture, and unique biologies that reflect each species' reality.

With the combined philosophical depth of Anand Gandhi and the systems-based storytelling mastery of Zain Memon, MAYA represents a significant leap forward in how stories can shape society. It's a universe crafted not just to be lived in, but to challenge and transform how we perceive the world around us. The launch of the first novel is just the beginning of what promises to be a cultural moment that will resonate far beyond the pages of a book.