Mahesh Babu takes a minority stake in Mumbai studio Shortgun Games for Project Takedown

Telugu actor Mahesh Babu has picked up a minority stake in Mumbai based Shortgun Games for an undisclosed amount, The Economic Times and Moneycontrol reported on November 3 and 4, 2026. The studio, founded by Jeet Chandan and Vidhit Mehta, is building original intellectual property for PC and modern consoles rather than mobile first games. Both outlets said Babu joined as a strategic investor and that the investment size was not disclosed.

Flagship title Project Takedown is described as a narrative driven action adventure set in near future Mumbai. The Economic Times said the game is planned as a 10 to 15 hour experience for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, aimed mainly at audiences in the United States, Europe and Japan, with a launch targeted by the end of 2028. Moneycontrol added that North America, Europe and the United Kingdom are key markets and that Indian action director Vicky Arora, known for work on Uri, RRR and Tanaav, is overseeing action design.

Shortgun is betting that India can ship high end interactive entertainment for global core gamers, not only mobile hits. Moneycontrol quoted Babu saying India has extraordinary creative potential and that the founders want experiences that stand with international studio benchmarks. The Economic Times framed the move as backing a franchise ambition out of India. Amount, valuation and board terms remain undisclosed, so the write up sticks to what ET and Moneycontrol confirmed.

For bharat.digital readers, the story sits at the edge of India digital entertainment: a Mumbai studio choosing PC and console pipelines, celebrity capital, and a multi year production cycle aimed overseas. Earlier coverage elsewhere noted a prior angel seed and shifting descriptions from shooter to action adventure. Those details are treated cautiously here until the studio or a second independent outlet locks them to Project Takedown.