Mounted under Dharma Productions in collaboration with Leo Media Collective, the project adapts defense analyst and author Nitin A. Gokhale’s acclaimed non-fiction work, R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster. Commemorating R&AW’s foundation day (September 21, 1968), the makers unveiled the project across social handles, locking in an Independence Day 2028 theatrical window with a scheduled release on Friday, August 11, 2028.
The Untold Story of the 'Gentleman Spymaster'
The feature film aims to document the covert statecraft that reshaped South Asian geopolitics in the late 20th century:
The Historical Anchor: Rameshwar Nath Kao—a fiercely private intelligence operative often called the father of modern Indian espionage—was tasked by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1968 to build R&AW from scratch.
Key Geopolitical Operations: The screenplay will focus heavily on Kao’s pivotal operations between 1968 and 1977, including the intelligence framework supporting the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the merger of Sikkim into the Indian Union in 1975, and the founding of the elite National Security Guard (NSG) and Special Frontier Force (SFF).
Nitin Gokhale’s Authoritative Text: By formally securing rights to Gokhale’s extensively researched biography, the production aims for documentary realism alongside large-scale cinematic drama, drawing from declassified documents and interviews with Kao's contemporaries.
Dharma’s Enduring Patriotic & Espionage Trajectory
The announcement reinforces Dharma Productions' strategic commitment to realistic, fact-based patriotic cinema:
Building on Past Precedents: Following the critical and commercial success of Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi (2018), Vishnu Vardhan’s Shershaah (2021), and Ae Watan Mere Watan (2024), the R.N. Kao adaptation represents Dharma’s most expansive historical intelligence project to date.
Announcing on R&AW Day: Sharing the official announcement poster, Karan Johar stated:
“On this day in 1968, the foundation of India's external intelligence agency was laid. Today, we feel immense pride in bringing to the big screen the untold journey of the man behind it all—Rameshwar Nath Kao. A spymaster who worked in the shadows to protect the nation's integrity.”
Production Timeline: The Road to August 11, 2028
With a theatrical date locked nearly two years in advance, Dharma is setting up an extensive pre-production cycle:
Director & Lead Casting: While speculation is underway across trade circles regarding who will step into Kao’s shoes, the studio is expected to unveil the lead actor and director in early 2027 once the screenplay drafts and inter-agency research clearances are finalized.
Release Slot: By locking August 11, 2028, Dharma captures the lucrative four-day Independence Day holiday corridor—a proven window for national-interest narratives.
Trade Verdict:
In an entertainment market that has recently shifted away from formulaic fictional agent tropes toward rooted, authentic historical chronicles, adapting R.N. Kao's legacy offers immense narrative and box-office potential. By securing the adaptation rights to Nitin Gokhale’s authoritative book and establishing an August 2028 release date, Karan Johar is positioning the project as an epic cinematic exploration of the quiet intellect and covert strategy that laid the foundation of India's modern intelligence network.
