Filmmaker Karan Johar announces an untitled feature film about Rameshwar Nath Kao, the founder of India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). The project is based on Nitin Gokhale’s book “R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster,” which details Kao’s life and legacy. Johar shares an announcement video and describes Kao as someone who “operated in the shadows” while helping build the institution.
Johar first announced the film in 2020 and now revives the plan on September 21, which marks R&AW’s 58th anniversary. The film is set to be released in theatres on August 11, 2028, aligning with the Independence Day weekend. Across the outlets, the movie’s scope is described as spanning key years from 1955 to 1971, including the agency’s formation and early mission work. The reports also say the storyline culminates with Kao’s role during the 1971 India–Pakistan War and frames R&AW’s establishment as a need that emerges in that period.
Details such as cast, director, and other creative team members are not publicly disclosed in the cited reports. Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective are named as the production partners, described as working together again after earlier collaborations.
