Mumbai, November 3, 2026: Indian cinema star Mahesh Babu has joined Mumbai-based development studio Shortgun Games as a strategic investor, forming a creative alliance with co-founders Jeet Chandan and Vidhit Mehta to develop original intellectual properties for PC and modern console platforms. The partnership will focus on building franchise-grade titles, with the studio’s flagship project, PROJECT TAKEDOWN, at its centre.
The collaboration aims to position Indian-developed games on the global stage, targeting markets in North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, and beyond. PROJECT TAKEDOWN is described as a high-budget, narrative-driven action adventure designed for platforms including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Focus on global console gaming
Shortgun Games, led by Chandan and Mehta, has shifted its strategy to develop exclusively for PC and console ecosystems, moving away from the mobile-first approach common in Indian digital entertainment. The founders aim to demonstrate that Indian studios can deliver high-fidelity worlds and cinematic experiences that meet international standards for core gamers.
Mahesh Babu said his decision to invest was influenced by the studio’s technical ambition and creative vision. “India has extraordinary creative potential, and the time is right to build original characters and cinematic worlds from here that resonate across the globe,” he said. “Backing young, visionary creators with such a defined technological roadmap is deeply inspiring, and I look forward to supporting our shared vision with PROJECT TAKEDOWN.”
Industry professionals join development
To enhance the action design of Project Takedown, Shortgun Games has enlisted Indian action director Vicky Arora, known for his work on URI: The Surgical Strike, RRR, and TANAAV. Arora’s team is responsible for motion-capture choreography, combat pre-visualization, and stunt mechanics, integrating live stunt engineering into the digital character pipeline.
Co-founder and Director Vidhit Mehta said, “Having Mahesh Babu sir come on board alongside Jeet and me as a strategic investor is an extraordinary milestone. His intuitive understanding of large-scale storytelling, emotional connection, and mass resonance elevates our entire vision as we bring PROJECT TAKEDOWN to life.”
Expanding creative and technical capacity
Jeet Chandan, Co-Founder and Director, noted that Mahesh Babu’s involvement would help the studio scale its technical capabilities and expand its creative talent. “His strategic involvement empowers us to scale our technical capabilities, expand our creative talent, and execute at uncompromising quality standards,” Chandan said.
Shortgun Games is also developing other projects, including the cooperative indie title Roll ’em Out, as part of its pipeline of interactive entertainment for PC and console platforms.
Shortgun Games is a Mumbai-based development studio focused on premium interactive experiences for PC and console ecosystems.
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