Karan Johar has officially announced a large-scale theatrical film on Rameshwar Nath Kao, the founder and first chief of India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Backed by Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective, the yet-untitled espionage drama is scheduled to release in theatres on August 11, 2028.
1. Karan Johar brings R.N. Kao’s story to the big screen
Karan Johar announced the project on September 21, 2026, marking 58 years since the establishment of R&AW.
The film will explore the life and work of Rameshwar Nath Kao, who became the agency’s founding chief after its establishment in 1968.
2. The film is based on Gentleman Spymaster
The project is based on journalist and strategic affairs analyst Nitin Gokhale’s book R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster.
The book examines Kao’s career, the circumstances surrounding the creation of R&AW and his role in India’s external intelligence operations.
3. The story spans 1955 to 1971
Rather than focusing only on the formation of R&AW, the film is expected to trace a much longer period.
The story will cover events from 1955 to 1971, leading up to the establishment of R&AW and its first major mission during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
4. Dharma Productions is teaming up with Leo Media Collective
The film marks another collaboration between Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective, following their work together on Bad Newz and Kesari: Chapter 2.
According to Karan Johar, Leo Media has spent the past two years researching and dramatizing the story, with the aim of creating a feature based on historical facts.
5. August 11, 2028 is the release date
The film has been locked for a theatrical release on August 11, 2028, placing it during the Independence Day weekend.
The timing also comes ahead of the 60th anniversary of R&AW’s establishment in 2028, giving the project a significant historical milestone around its release.
6. Casting and director details remain under wraps
Despite the release date announcement, the makers have not yet revealed the lead actor, director or complete creative team.
The film is currently in development, with casting and other production details being kept confidential for now.
7. Another espionage story enters Bollywood’s big-screen lineup
Karan Johar has previously backed films centred on military and national-security themes, including Raazi, Shershaah and Kesari.
This project shifts the focus from soldiers on the battlefield to the world of intelligence, exploring the early years of the institution that became India’s external intelligence agency.
The makers are positioning the film as a large-scale theatrical espionage drama based on Kao’s life and the origins of R&AW.
KnowBuddys Take
Karan Johar is going from battlefield stories to the world of spies.
And this time, the central character isn’t a fictional super-agent.
It’s R.N. Kao, the man associated with the creation of India’s external intelligence agency.
The interesting part is the timeline.
1955 → 1968 → 1971
So this isn’t simply a biopic about one man’s life. The announced story is set against the evolution of India’s intelligence apparatus and its early years.
And with the cast still completely under wraps, the biggest question right now is obvious:
Who is playing R.N. Kao?
That reveal could become the next major talking point around this project.
The spy story has been announced. Now we’re waiting for the spy.
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