Karan Johar's Dharma Productions announces film on R&AW founder R N Kao
Dharma Productions has joined hands with Leo Media Collective for a feature film on Rameshwar Nath Kao, the founder of India's external intelligence agency R&AW, with the yet-untitled project set for a theatrical release on August 11, 2028.
The announcement was made on September 21, marking 58 years since the formation of R&AW in 1968. The makers said the film is being planned to coincide with the agency's 60-year legacy in 2028.
The film, currently in development, will be produced by Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective and will be based on Nitin Gokhale's book "Gentleman Spymaster".
"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," Karan Johar said.
The large-scale espionage actioner will chronicle events from 1955 to 1971, tracing the circumstances that led to the need for a dedicated external intelligence agency, the formation of R&AW and its first major mission during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Kao, who served as the first chief of R&AW, is widely regarded as one of India's pioneering intelligence officers. The film will explore his role in shaping the country's external intelligence apparatus and taking Indian espionage onto the global stage.
The casting, director and other details of the project are being kept under wraps. According to the makers, an A-list actor will headline the film.
The project marks another collaboration between Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective following their work on "Bad Newz" (2024) and "Kesari: Chapter 2" (2025).
Dharma Productions has previously backed films centred on historical and military figures and events, including "Kesari", "Raazi" and "Shershaah", as well as "Kesari: Chapter 2".
