Actor Mahesh Babu invests in Mumbai gaming studio Shortgun Games

Actor Mahesh Babu has picked up a minority stake in Mumbai-based gaming studio Shortgun Games for an undisclosed amount, marking his entry into the video game development sector. The company is currently building original PC and console games designed to reach players beyond India.

Project Details

Shortgun Games is working on its flagship action-adventure title named Project Takedown, which is set in a near-future Mumbai. According to The Economic Times, the game will run between 10 and 15 hours long and is planned for release by the end of 2028 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The studio is targeting markets in the US, Europe, and Japan. The company has also brought in action director Vicky Arora, whose film credits include Uri: The Surgical Strike, RRR, and Tanaav, to lead combat choreography and motion-capture work. Aside from Project Takedown, the studio is developing an independent cooperative adventure game titled Roll 'em Out.

Funding and Partnership

This new investment follows a $1 million seed round raised in August 2025 from angel investors and a family office, which valued around ₹8.7 crore at the time. The startup was founded in 2022 by Jeet Chandan and Vidhit Mehta, who initially focused on Web3 and mobile games before shifting to PC and console development in 2024. Beyond financial backing, Mahesh Babu will work with the studio on developing original gaming intellectual properties, starting with Project Takedown. Co-founder Jeet Chandan stated that the actor's involvement would help improve the studio's technical capabilities and maintain its desired quality. Mahesh Babu noted that India's creative potential can build original characters and cinematic worlds for global audiences.

Context

India has seen rapid growth in its domestic video game development sector in recent years, with local studios increasingly shifting focus from mobile apps to high-end PC and console games. Partnering with prominent film stars provides young entertainment startups with vital visibility and financial runway as they attempt to break into competitive international markets.