Acclaimed filmmaker Anand Gandhi, known for his visionary works Tumbbad and Ship of Theseus, has stepped into a new creative role—this time as an author. Teaming up with award-winning game designer Zain Memon (SHASN, AZADI), Gandhi launches MAYA: Seed Takes Root, the first chapter in an expansive sci-fi fantasy universe titled MAYA, envisioned to unfold across novels, films, and games.
Record-Breaking Kickstarter Launch
The novel’s Kickstarter campaign, narrated by Hollywood legend Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings), witnessed an explosive start. Within just 15 minutes, MAYA: Seed Takes Root had achieved 300% of its funding goal. In a matter of hours, the campaign skyrocketed past 430%, setting records as one of the fastest-growing literary debuts in Kickstarter’s history.
A Global Mythology in the Making
Kickstarter has long been a stage for ambitious creators, and MAYA: Seed Takes Root is no exception. Scheduled for release in January 2026, the debut novel promises to deliver a new mythology for a modern world—one that spans cultures, mediums, and generations.
Speaking about the overwhelming response, Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon shared:
“Today, we laid down the foundation stone of MAYA. It is simultaneously overwhelming and reassuring to see the world respond with such enthusiasm. This confirms what we’ve long believed—the world is hungry for a new mythology that speaks to the questions of today.”
The Most Anticipated Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2026
With its unprecedented momentum and a creative vision that bridges literature, cinema, and gaming, MAYA: Seed Takes Root has already positioned itself as the most anticipated science fiction fantasy novel of 2026—a daring, world-building debut hailed as one of the boldest undertakings in the genre in decades.
