Biopic on R&AW founder and spymaster RN Kao announced

Rameshwar Nath Kao | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective on Monday (September 21) announced a biopic on Rameshwar Nath Kao, the spymaster who founded the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in 1968.Currently in the development stage, the film is set to be released in theatres on August 11, 2028, ahead of Independence Day. Notably, 2028 will mark 60 years of the Indian external intelligence agency.Speaking about the project, Dharma’s Karan Johar shared, “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 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.”He built the invisible…but history remembers his impact. Today marks 58 years of R&AW and we're thrilled to announce our film on the story of R.N. Kao, the man who operated in the shadows & brought to light an institution we know today as R&AW - and its first mission.Based… pic.twitter.com/99OJtWn7rS— Dharma Productions (@DharmaMovies) September 21, 2026Billed as a large-scale espionage actioner, the film is based on Nitin Gokhale’s book ‘Gentleman Spymaster.’ The casting, director and other details are kept under wraps for now.According to a press release, the film will chronicle Kao’s journey from 1955 to 1971, from establishing the need for R&AW to leading to its formation and the first-ever mission in the 1971 war against Pakistan.RN Kao is widely considered a legend in the world of spycraft and is responsible for bringing Indian espionage to the global stage. Over the years, several R&AW Chiefs have spoken highly of RN Kao, honouring his professionalism and strategic mindset.Notably, the upcoming film will mark a reunion between Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective after Bad Newz (2024) and Kesari: Chapter 2 (2025). Published - September 21, 2026 12:57 pm IST