Karan Johar to bring R&AW founder RN Kao's untold story to the big screen in 2028

Filmmaker Karan Johar announces a new film on R&AW founder RN Kao, based on Nitin Gokhale's Gentleman Spymaster. Here is everything you need to know about the RN Kao biopic.

In Short

• Karan Johar has announced a film on R&AW founder RN Kao
• The espionage thriller is based on Gentleman Spymaster
• The film will trace Kao’s journey from 1955 to 1971

Rameshwar Nath Kao, who founded India’s external intelligence agency R&AW and later served as its first chief, is set to be the subject of a large-scale theatrical film backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective. The yet-untitled espionage actioner, based on Kao’s life and work, is targeting an August 11, 2028 release during the Independence Day weekend.

The announcement was made on September 21, marking 58 years since the foundation of R&AW, with the film planned as part of the agency’s 60-year legacy celebrations in 2028. Based on Nitin Gokhale’s book Gentleman Spymaster, the film will trace Kao’s journey from 1955 to 1971, including the events that led to the creation of R&AW and its first major mission during the 1971 war with Pakistan.

The project is currently in development, and the makers plan to take it on floors by mid-2026. The film will explore the years leading up to the formation of R&AW and Kao’s role in shaping India’s intelligence operations on the global stage. Often described as a pioneering figure in Indian espionage, Kao’s work and strategic approach have since been discussed by several former R&AW chiefs.

What Karan Johar said about the project

In an official statement, Karan Johar said, “Leo Media has painstakingly been researching and dramatising this narrative with passion for the past two years, we want this film to be a gripping story based on true facts to pay homage to RAW and honour their milestone year with a solid motion picture all of us at Dharma are so excited to get going."

Team and production details

The film marks another collaboration between Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective after Bad Newz (2024) and Kesari: Chapter 2 (2025). While the director and cast have not been revealed yet, the makers are expected to cast an A-list actor in the lead. Details about the cast, director and other members of the creative team are being kept under wraps for now.

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