Karan Johar has announced a new theatrical film based on Rameshwar Nath Kao, the founder and first chief of India’s external intelligence agency, R&AW. The film is based on Nitin Gokhale’s book R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster. It will reach cinemas on August 11, 2028.
The project will focus on Kao’s career, the creation of R&AW and its early intelligence work. The makers have not yet announced the cast or director
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened? | Karan Johar announced a film based on R.N. Kao. |
| Release date | August 11, 2028 |
| Film subject | R.N. Kao, founder and first chief of R&AW |
| Based on | R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster by Nitin Gokhale |
| Producer | Karan Johar |
| Current status | Film announced, with cast and director yet to be confirmed |
| Expected focus | The formation of R&AW, Kao’s role and the agency’s early mission |
Film Explores R&AW’s Early Years
Karan Johar has revived his long planned project on R.N. Kao. Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective are developing the film, which currently does not have a confirmed title. The producers have fixed August 11, 2028 as its theatrical release date.
The announcement came on September 21, 2026, marking 58 years since R&AW was established in 1968. The project draws from journalist and strategic affairs analyst Nitin Gokhale’s book Gentleman Spymaster.
According to the announcement, the story will cover Kao’s work and the early development of R&AW. Reports also say the film will explore the years leading up to 1971 and the agency’s early operations.
Karan Johar first announced the project in January 2020. At that time, Dharma Productions and Still and Still Media Collective revealed plans for a film based on Gokhale’s book. The makers described it as a story about the life and work of R.N. Kao.
Six years later, the project has received a confirmed cinema release date. However, the lead actor, supporting cast, director and other key creative details have not been publicly confirmed.
Who Was R.N. Kao?
Rameshwar Nath Kao was an Indian police and intelligence officer. He became the first chief of R&AW when the agency was created in 1968. He remained in the role until 1977.
Kao helped build the agency during its early years. His career also included work connected to India’s wider intelligence and security structure. Historical accounts link his tenure to intelligence activity surrounding the 1971 India Pakistan conflict.
His public profile remained limited. Much of his work took place away from the public spotlight, which is one reason his career has attracted continued interest from writers and filmmakers.
Another R.N. Kao Project Was Announced for OTT
Karan Johar’s film is not the first screen project based on Kao’s life. In June 2022, SonyLIV announced a series based on R.K. Yadav’s book Mission R&AW. Hansal Mehta joined the project as creator and showrunner. The series was planned around Kao’s career and intelligence work.
The 2022 announcement received coverage from several outlets, but a current release date or recent production update was not found in the sources reviewed for this article. Therefore, its present status remains unclear.
R.N. Kao Film Moves Ahead
Karan Johar’s R.N. Kao film has moved forward with a confirmed theatrical release date of August 11, 2028. The project will draw from Nitin Gokhale’s Gentleman Spymaster and explore Kao’s role in the early history of R&AW.
With the cast and director still under wraps, attention will now turn to the next official announcements from the filmmakers.
