Vistas Media Group has secured exclusive book-to-screen adaptation rights to “The Maz Files: Scoops, Scams and Showdowns,” the compelling memoir by acclaimed investigative journalist Mazhar Farooqui, who serves as senior editor at Khaleej Times. The production company is currently developing the project as a high-stakes investigative series conceptualized as an international crime thriller grounded in actual events.
The source material draws from Farooqui’s three decades of investigative journalism experience, documenting his most perilous and complex cases across multiple continents. The narrative trajectory spans from Dubai’s power corridors to challenging territories within Africa and South Asia, tracing the relentless pursuit of truth by a dedicated journalist operating without official protection.
Farooqui emphasized the substantive nature of the project, stating: “These narratives were never crafted for entertainment purposes—they were created to reveal hard truths. Our objective isn’t sensationalism but rather demonstrating criminal operational methodologies and the immense courage required to confront them.”
The adaptation distinguishes itself from conventional crime procedurals by positioning the investigative journalist at the narrative epicenter—relying solely on confidential sources, sharp instincts, and unwavering determination. Farooqui’s groundbreaking investigations have facilitated legal proceedings against over 250 criminals globally, exposing international fraud schemes, financial crimes, smuggling operations, black-market economies, human trafficking networks, identity fraud rings, and sophisticated crime syndicates.
Piiyush Singh, Vistas Media co-founder, commented on the project’s significance: “‘The Maz Files’ represents precisely the type of content that demands authentic treatment and profound respect. We’ve collaborated extensively with Mazhar throughout research, scripting, and development phases to ensure the series accurately portrays not merely the criminal activities but the extraordinary bravery underlying their exposure.”