The filmmaker has announced the project, based on Nitin Gokhale’s book R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster, will arrive in theatres in 2028. The film was first announced back in January 2020, when Dharma Productions revealed plans to adapt Gokhale’s biography.
Karan Johar is finally taking the story of R&AW founder Rameshwar Nath Kao to the big screen. Six years later, the project has a release date, although details about the cast and the film’s production are still under wraps.
Today marks 58 years of R&AW and we’re thrilled to announce our film on the story of RN Kao, the man who operated in the shadows & brought to light an institution we know today as R&AW – and its first mission. Based on the book Gentleman Spymaster by Nitin Gokhale, his story comes alive on big screens on 11 August, 2028”. The makers are currently developing the project, with plans to take it on floors by mid-2026. The film is adapted from Nitin Gokhale’s 2019 book Gentleman Spymaster, which examines Kao’s life and his role in the formation of R&AW. The two companies previously worked together on Bad Newz (2024) and Kesari: Chapter 2 (2025). The film is set to release in theatres on August 11, 2028.
In his Instagram post, he wrote, “He built the invisible…but history remembers his impact. The casting, director and other production details are being kept under wraps for now. However, insiders indicate that an A-list actor will headline the film. The RN Kao film also marks another collaboration between Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective.
Karan Johar spoke about the project and said in a statement, “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.
