Indian cinema superstar Mahesh Babu has become a strategic investor in Mumbai-based Shortgun Games, supporting a studio focused on bringing original, high-quality games to PC and consoles. The investment marks another step toward expanding India's presence in the global gaming industry.

Founded by Jeet Chandan and Vidhit Mehta, Shortgun Games is developing original intellectual properties designed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Its first major project, Project Takedown, is a big-budget, story-driven action-adventure game intended to compete with major international releases. The financial details of Mahesh Babu's investment have not been disclosed.

While mobile gaming has traditionally dominated India's digital entertainment market, Shortgun Games is taking a different approach. The studio is focusing exclusively on PC and console experiences, aiming to deliver detailed worlds, engaging gameplay, and cinematic storytelling that can appeal to players worldwide.

Mahesh Babu, who is currently leading S.S. Rajamouli's upcoming film Varanasi, sees significant potential in India's creative talent and its ability to develop entertainment for international audiences.

"Interactive entertainment is the ultimate frontier where narrative depth, cutting-edge technology, and global culture intersect," Mahesh Babu said.

He added that the studio's ambition to create premium PC and console experiences, alongside its founders' clear vision, played an important role in his decision to invest.

To bring Project Takedown's combat sequences to life, Shortgun Games has partnered with action director Vicky Arora, whose film credits include Uri: The Surgical Strike, RRR, and Tanaav.

Arora's team is contributing motion-capture choreography, combat previsualization, and physical stunt performances. These live-action sequences are integrated directly into the game's development process, helping transform real performances into digital characters and combat animations.

The studio aims to deliver intense, cinematic combat that matches the quality and ambition of major international productions.

Shortgun Games was founded with the goal of proving that Indian developers can create world-class interactive entertainment for modern consoles and PC.

Mehta, who serves as a director alongside Chandan, described Mahesh Babu's involvement as a major milestone for the company. His experience with large-scale storytelling and emotional connections with audiences is expected to support the studio's creative ambitions.

Chandan also emphasized the importance of building original franchises that can reach audiences across different regions and entertainment formats. Mahesh Babu's investment will help the studio expand its technical capabilities, grow its creative team, and maintain high production standards.

Beyond Project Takedown, Shortgun Games is also developing Roll 'em Out, a cooperative indie game.

With its focus on original intellectual properties, cinematic storytelling, and high-end PC and console development, the studio hopes to establish itself as a new player in India's growing game development industry while creating experiences that resonate with audiences around the world.