Vistas Media Group, has acquired the book-to-screen rights to The MazFiles: Scoops, Scams and Showdowns, the acclaimed memoir by award-winning investigative journalist Mazhar Farooqui alias Maz.
The project is currently in active development as a premium investigative series, conceived as a high-stakes, international crime thriller rooted entirely in real events.
Drawing from Farooqui’s three-decade career on the front lines of investigative journalism, The Maz Files chronicles some of the most dangerous and complex cases he pursued across continents. From the power corridors of Dubai to the hostile interiors of Africa and South Asia, the narrative follows a journalist who relentlessly chased truth—often at grave personal risk.
“If someone were to bump me off, it would be difficult to determine who it was,” Farooqui writes—capturing the peril that underpins the story
Recent successes such as Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web on Netflix have highlighted strong audience appetite for real-world, enforcement-led crime narratives, showcasing the gripping world of customs and excise-led smuggling crackdowns.
The Maz Files significantly expands this canvas, placing the investigative journalist at the center of a sprawling global crime ecosystem. Farooqui’s investigations have resulted in legal action against more than 250 criminals worldwide, exposing international fraud a
Unlike procedural crime dramas, The Maz Files places the investigative journalist at the centre of the storm—operating without official immunity, armed only with sources, instincts, and relentless courage.
Golden Ratio Films, India the production and distribution arm of Vistas Media has rapidly established itself as a creative force in premium, character-driven storytelling with international sensibilities. The company’s distinguished body of work reflects a commitment to high-quality production values, compelling narratives, and culturally resonant content. Some of the Golden Ratio’s projects have included:
Together, these projects establish Golden Ratio Films as a high-calibre, content-first production company capable of handling complex narratives, real-world themes, and globally relevant stories.
Speaking about the acquisition, Piiyush Singh, Co-Founder of Vistas Media, said: “The Maz Files is the kind of material that demands integrity and depth. We’ve worked closely with Mazhar on research, scripting, and development to ensure the series captures not just the crimes, but the courage behind uncovering them.”
Mazhar Farooqui added: “These stories were never written to entertain—they were written to expose truth. What drew me to Vistas Media was their commitment to authenticity and restraint. The intent is not sensationalism, but to show how crime really operates, and what it takes to confront it.”
About Golden Ratio Films & Vistas Media Group
Golden Ratio Films India is part of the Vistas Media Group, a global media and entertainment platform spanning film, OTT, IP monetisation, and cross-border content investments. The acquisition of The Maz Files reinforces the group’s strategy of building premium, IP-driven, globally scalable stories rooted in real events.
About the Author
Mazhar Farooqui is a Dubai-based investigative journalist and currently serves as Senior Editor at Khaleej Times. Over his career, he has worked with Gulf News, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and The Pioneer, among others, earning numerous national and international awards for investigative excellence. He is also the founder and president of AaghazFoundation, an India-based educational charity—underscoring the book’s deeper ethos: journalism as a force for justice and social impact.
