Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Karan Johar Revives R&AW Founder Rameshwar Nath Kao Biopic
A new movie will tell the story of Rameshwar Nath Kao, who founded India’s external intelligence agency, R&AW.
Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective are making the film.
The movie does not have an official title yet.
It is planned for cinemas on August 11, 2028.
That date is during India’s Independence Day weekend and R&AW’s 60th anniversary year.
The story will cover the years from 1955 to 1971.
It will explain why R&AW was created in 1968 and show its first major mission during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
The film is based on Nitin Gokhale’s book Gentleman Spymaster.
Its director and actors have not been publicly announced.
Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective are developing an untitled theatrical biopic about R&AW founder Rameshwar Nath Kao.
The film is scheduled for release on August 11, 2028, during India’s Independence Day weekend and R&AW’s 60th anniversary year.
First announced in January 2020, the project is based on Nitin Gokhale’s book Gentleman Spymaster.
Its story spans 1955 to 1971, covering R&AW’s formation and its first major mission during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
The director and cast have not been announced; one report says production was slated to begin by mid-2026, while another says filming has not publicly been confirmed.
- Who
- Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, Karan Johar, Rameshwar Nath Kao, and author Nitin Gokhale.
- What
- An untitled theatrical biopic about Kao’s career, the creation of R&AW, and its early intelligence operations.
- When
- The film is scheduled for August 11, 2028; it was first announced in January 2020 and was announced again on September 21, 2026, according to one report.
- Where
- India; the articles do not specify filming locations.
- Why
- The makers aim to dramatize Kao’s role in building India’s external intelligence apparatus and pay tribute to R&AW during its 60th anniversary year.
- Subject
- Rameshwar Nath Kao, founding chief of R&AW
- Production companies
- Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective
- Release date
- August 11, 2028
- Source material
- Gentleman Spymaster by Nitin Gokhale
- Story period
- 1955 to 1971
- R&AW established
- 1968
- Director and cast
- Not publicly disclosed
- Previous collaboration
- Bad Newz (2024) and Kesari: Chapter 2 (2025)
Sources
Who was Rameshwar Nath Kao? The man who built R&AW is getting a Karan Johar film in 2028
Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective to make film on R&AW founder R N Kao - Telegraph India
Karan Johar revives R&AW founder RN Kao biopic after 6 years, sets 2028 release