R&AW founder RN Kao biopic set for August 11, 2028 release by Dharma Productions
Synopsis
Karan Johar's Dharma Productions is bringing the story of R&AW founder Rameshwar Nath Kao — one of India's most consequential yet least celebrated spymasters — to the big screen. Based on Nitin Gokhale's book Gentleman Spymaster, the Independence Day 2028 release is timed to honour the agency's 60th year, and could be the most significant espionage biopic in Indian cinema history.
Key Takeaways
Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective have set August 11, 2028 as the release date for their biopic on R&AW founder Rameshwar Nath Kao .
The announcement was made on 21 September 2026 , marking 58 years since R&AW's founding; the 2028 release will coincide with the agency's 60th anniversary .
The film is based on the book Gentleman Spymaster by Nitin Gokhale and covers the period from 1955 to 1971 , including the 1971 war against Pakistan .
Production is scheduled to begin by mid-2026 ; casting, director, and other details remain under wraps.
The film reunites Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective after Bad Newz and Kesari: Chapter 2 .
Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective have locked August 11, 2028 as the theatrical release date for their upcoming biopic on Rameshwar Nath Kao, the founder of India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). The announcement was made on 21 September 2026, exactly 58 years after R&AW was established, with the 2028 release timed to coincide with Independence Day weekend and the agency's 60th anniversary.
What the Film Covers
The yet-untitled espionage-actioner chronicles RN Kao's journey from 1955 to 1971, tracing the circumstances that necessitated the creation of R&AW and culminating in the agency's pivotal role during the 1971 war against Pakistan. The film is based on the book Gentleman Spymaster by author Nitin Gokhale, which documents Kao's life and his contribution to building Indian intelligence capabilities on the global stage.
Currently in the development stage, the production is scheduled to go on floors by mid-2026. Casting, the director, and other key creative details have not yet been disclosed by the makers.
Karan Johar Speaks on the Project
Filmmaker and Dharma Productions head Karan Johar described the project as a deeply researched undertaking. In a statement, 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.'
The film marks the reunion of Dharma Productions with Leo Media Collective following their recent collaborations on Bad Newz and Kesari: Chapter 2.
Who Was RN Kao
Rameshwar Nath Kao is widely regarded as a legend in the world of espionage. He founded R&AW in 1968 and is credited with transforming Indian intelligence into a credible global force. His strategic vision is considered instrumental in the outcomes of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, making him one of the most consequential yet least publicly celebrated figures in Indian national security history.
Dharma's Record With Patriotic Narratives
The biopic adds to Karan Johar's growing slate of patriotic and military-themed productions. Dharma has previously backed Kesari, Raazi, Shershaah, and Kesari: Chapter 2 — films that collectively drew significant box-office numbers and audience appreciation for spotlighting unsung chapters of Indian history. The RN Kao film is described as a 'big scale' theatrical feature, suggesting a high-production-value approach consistent with that catalogue.
With the film still in early development, audiences will have to wait for casting announcements and a director reveal before the full shape of the project becomes clear — but the Independence Day 2028 target gives the makers a significant runway to deliver on an ambitious promise.
Point of View
Which means the 2028 date is aspirational rather than confirmed. Dharma's patriotic slate has delivered commercially, but the Kao story carries real complexity: depicting the founding of a secretive intelligence agency without sanitising its moral ambiguities will test the makers' commitment to the 'true facts' Johar invokes. Whether the film honours the full Kao legacy or delivers a rousing but simplified patriotic spectacle will depend entirely on choices yet to be made.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rameshwar Nath Kao and why is a film being made about him?
Rameshwar Nath Kao was the founder of India's external intelligence agency R&AW, established in 1968. He is regarded as a legend in espionage for building Indian intelligence into a global force, particularly for his role in the 1971 war against Pakistan — making him the subject of an upcoming Dharma Productions biopic.
When will the RN Kao biopic release?
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 11, 2028, coinciding with the Independence Day weekend and R&AW's 60th anniversary. The makers announced the project on 21 September 2026.
What is the film based on?
The biopic is based on the book Gentleman Spymaster by author Nitin Gokhale. It will chronicle Rameshwar Nath Kao's journey from 1955 to 1971, covering the formation of R&AW and its first mission during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.
Who is producing the RN Kao biopic?
The film is being produced by Dharma Productions, led by Karan Johar, in collaboration with Leo Media Collective. The two production houses previously worked together on Bad Newz and Kesari: Chapter 2.
Has casting or a director been announced for the film?
No. As of the announcement on 21 September 2026, casting, the director, and other key creative details remain undisclosed. Production is expected to begin by mid-2026, with the film currently in the development stage.
