Anand Gandhi & Zain Memon’s MAYA outsells Harry Potter, Dune & Lord of the Rings in pre-orders

Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon’s sci-fi fantasy epic raises over ₹3.5 crores, rivaling major film openings

MAYA: Seed Takes Root has become the highest-funded debut novel in Kickstarter history, raising over $410,000 (over ₹3.5 crores) from thousands of backers worldwide. In a stunning achievement, MAYA has sold more copies in pre-orders than either Harry Potter or Dune or Lord of the Rings sold in their entire first year of publication.

The science-fiction fantasy epic from acclaimed filmmaker Anand Gandhi (Tumbbad, Ship of Theseus) and award-winning game designer Zain Memon (SHASN, AZADI), narrated by Hollywood icon Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings), reached 3500% of its funding goal, with several thousands of pre-orders coming in from more than 30 countries.

To contextualize this achievement: ₹3.5 crores in novel pre-sales rivals a strong opening day collection for a theatrical film release. MAYA achieved this entirely through direct community support, with no studio backing, publisher support, or traditional distribution machinery: a testament to the global appetite for the new mythology that MAYA offers.

Explosive Launch, Sustained Momentum

MAYA fully funded its initial goal within just five minutes of launch on 9th September. Over the following month, the project secured backing from readers, gamers, science-fiction and fantasy enthusiasts across six continents. The campaign sustained its incredible momentum with jam-packed showings at LA Comic Con, New York Comic Con, Worldcon, and IFBE. Thousands of new fans flocked to meet the authors and waited in line to get signed merchandise. Simultaneously, Hugo Weaving completed recording the audiobook, further building fan anticipation.

“This novel launch was an invitation to begin the larger dialogue around exporting culture from India(BHARAT) that inspires, awes, and informs in equal measure,” remarked Anand Gandhi. “To see a new global community rapidly emerge and engage so deeply with the ideas and intention of MAYA is profoundly moving.”

A New Mythology for a Hyperconnected Age

MAYA presents a world where a network of sentient trees acts as the living internet of planet Neh. Citizens “tether” daily to Maya, entering shared dreamscapes while immortal beings harvest data to see billions of possible futures. Everyone is tracked, everyone is “nudged” - except one person, whose freedom threatens everything.

Developed over four years with geologists, biologists, linguists, architects, and artists from around the globe, MAYA unfolds across films, games, novels, graphic novels, and immersive experiences.

“As first-time authors in a new market, launching on a game-first platform, we were advised to manage our expectations,” added Zain Memon. “It is humbling and overwhelming to end this experiment with such a landmark success.”

MAYA: Seed Takes Root will begin shipping to backers in early 2026.