Mahesh Babu picks up stake in gaming startup Shortgun Games

Key takeaways

• Actor Mahesh Babu has acquired a minority stake in Mumbai-based Shortgun Games as a strategic investor.
• The investment amount and equity percentage have not been disclosed.
• Shortgun is developing Project Takedown, a story-driven action-adventure game set in a near-future Mumbai.
• The game is being built for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, rather than mobile platforms.
• The founders are targeting an international audience, particularly players in North America, Europe and Japan.
• The company expects to launch its flagship game by the end of 2028.

Mahesh Babu backs an Indian PC and console gaming studio

Mahesh Babu’s investment gives Shortgun Games a high-profile backer as the startup attempts to build original video game intellectual property from India for international markets. The actor has taken a minority stake in the company, but neither the investment value nor the equity percentage has been publicly disclosed.

The investment is also a strategic endorsement of a business model that differs from the approach followed by many Indian gaming startups. Rather than concentrating on mobile games, Shortgun is developing premium experiences for PC and modern gaming consoles. Its ambition is to create original characters, cinematic environments and game franchises that can compete with international releases.

The company was founded by Jeet Chandan and Vidhit Mehta. According to the founders, Mahesh Babu’s backing will help the studio expand its technical capabilities and bring more creative talent into the team.

What is Project Takedown?

Shortgun’s flagship project is Project Takedown, described as a 10–15-hour action-adventure game set in a near-future version of Mumbai.

The title is being developed for three major gaming platforms:

• PC
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S

The studio is targeting players in India as well as international markets, including the United States, Europe and Japan. The founders expect the game to launch by the end of 2028.

The choice of Mumbai as the setting gives the project an opportunity to build its fictional world around an Indian urban environment. However, the company is not positioning the game exclusively for Indian players. Its stated ambition is to create a title that can appeal to a global gaming audience.

A 10–15-hour campaign also places the project in the category of narrative-led premium games, where storytelling, character development, combat mechanics and world design are important parts of the experience.

Shortgun has not yet disclosed a confirmed retail price, detailed gameplay specifications or a final launch date.

Why the company is focusing on PC and consoles

India has a large gaming audience, but much of its gaming activity is concentrated on smartphones. Mobile games generally have different development budgets, distribution models and monetisation strategies from premium PC and console titles.

Shortgun is choosing a more demanding route. Developing a high-quality PC and console game requires investment in game engines, graphics, animation, sound design, testing and specialised technical talent.

It also puts the studio in competition with established international developers and publishers. Players purchasing premium games typically expect polished gameplay, reliable performance, strong visual presentation and a compelling story.

For an Indian studio, the opportunity is to create intellectual property that can travel beyond domestic markets. A successful original title could potentially support sequels, additional content and other entertainment formats. However, these are possibilities rather than confirmed plans for Project Takedown.

Film-industry expertise enters game development

Shortgun has also brought in action director Vicky Arora to lead aspects of the game’s action design.

Arora’s film credits include URI: The Surgical Strike, RRR and Tanaav. His work with the studio includes motion-capture choreography, combat pre-visualisation and stunt-related action design.

Motion capture allows developers to translate the movements of real performers into digital character animations. In action games, this can help create more convincing combat sequences, character movements and physical interactions.

The involvement of an action director with film-industry experience reflects the studio’s emphasis on cinematic presentation. However, cinematic action alone does not determine whether a game succeeds. Gameplay responsiveness, level design, technical performance and player engagement will also be important.

Shortgun’s funding history and development plans

Mahesh Babu’s investment follows earlier fundraising activity by the startup.

Dealroom reported that Shortgun raised a $1 million seed round in August 2025 and subsequently planned to raise another $5 million to move its game from prototype towards full production.

Earlier reporting also described a larger fundraising ambition during the studio’s development phase. These figures refer to different reported fundraising plans and should not be treated as confirmation that the company has secured the entire amount.

Development milestone	Reported details
2024	Former members of the Rogue Heist team joined the studio
August 2025	Reported $1 million angel investment
2025	Vicky Arora joined as action director
November 2026	Mahesh Babu acquired a minority stake
Target launch	By the end of 2028

The amount of Mahesh Babu’s investment remains undisclosed. It is therefore unclear how much additional production funding the company has secured through this transaction or whether it fully covers the studio’s financing requirements.

A change in the description of the flagship game

There is also an important detail in Shortgun’s development history. Earlier announcements described the studio’s main project as a cinematic third-person shooter. The latest coverage identifies Project Takedown as a narrative-driven action-adventure.

The company has not publicly clarified whether the two descriptions refer to the same project following a change in direction or to different stages of development.

Shortgun has also listed Roll ’em Out, a smaller cooperative indie game, in its development pipeline. The studio has not disclosed a detailed release schedule for that title.

What this means for India’s gaming industry

Mahesh Babu’s investment highlights growing interest in Indian studios attempting to build original gaming intellectual property rather than focusing only on mobile gaming or outsourced development work.

Celebrity investment can provide visibility, industry connections and additional confidence among potential partners. It can also help a young studio attract attention before its first major release.

However, building a globally competitive PC or console game is a capital-intensive undertaking. Development can take several years, and studios must manage production costs, technical risks, marketing and distribution. A high-profile investor does not guarantee commercial success.

For Shortgun, the larger challenge will be converting its ambition into a finished product that meets international expectations. The quality of its gameplay, production execution and eventual market reception will matter more than the attention generated by the investment announcement.

The Bigger Picture

India’s gaming ecosystem has traditionally been associated with mobile-first products, but studios are increasingly exploring original games for PC and consoles. These projects have the potential to create globally recognised Indian intellectual property, although they require different levels of investment, specialised talent and production experience.

Shortgun is entering this market with a near-future Mumbai setting, a cinematic action-adventure concept and a strategic investor from the film industry. The project also illustrates how storytelling and technical production expertise from cinema can intersect with interactive entertainment. Whether that combination can produce a commercially successful international game remains to be seen.

Looking Ahead

Shortgun’s next major milestones will include expanding its development team, progressing Project Takedown through production and eventually revealing more information about gameplay, visuals and distribution. The end-of-2028 launch target gives the studio a development window, but the company has not announced a confirmed release date or price.

For Mahesh Babu, the investment adds a gaming venture to his business interests and connects his film-industry profile with India’s emerging premium game-development segment. For Shortgun, the immediate priority is turning investor backing and creative ambition into a finished game capable of attracting players beyond India.