Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective have joined hands for a large-scale theatrical film based on the life and work of Rameshwar Nath Kao, the founder and first chief of India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). The yet-untitled espionage drama has been scheduled for theatrical release on August 11, 2028, during the Independence Day weekend.
The announcement was made on September 21, 2026, marking 58 years since the establishment of R&AW. The 2028 release also coincides with the agency’s 60-year milestone, giving the project a significant historical backdrop.
A Story from R&AW’s Early Years
The film is based on Nitin Gokhale’s book R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster. The story will trace the period from 1955 to 1971, covering the circumstances that led to the creation of R&AW and the agency’s early operations. The narrative is also expected to cover its first major mission during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Rameshwar Nath Kao became the first chief of R&AW when the agency was established in 1968. His career and role in developing India’s external intelligence framework have made him an important figure in accounts of the country’s intelligence history.
The new film will bring this lesser-known chapter of independent India’s security history to the big screen, combining historical events with the format of a theatrical espionage drama.
Karan Johar on the Project
Karan Johar said the Leo Media team had spent the past two years researching and dramatising the story. He said the makers wanted to create a gripping film based on true events while paying tribute to R&AW and marking its milestone year.
The project is currently in development. Details about the director and lead cast are being kept under wraps, although reports indicate that an established actor is expected to headline the film.
From 1955 to 1971
Rather than focusing only on the formation of R&AW, the film will cover a longer period of Kao’s professional journey. The story begins in 1955 and moves towards the creation of the agency in 1968 before reaching the events surrounding its early mission during the 1971 war.
This timeline gives the makers an opportunity to explore the circumstances that shaped India’s external intelligence structure and the challenges surrounding its early years.
Another Dharma-Leo Collaboration
The Rameshwar Nath Kao project also brings Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective together again. Their previous collaborations include Bad Newz in 2024 and Kesari: Chapter 2 in 2025.
With the release date now locked, the film is set to become one of Dharma Productions’ upcoming large-scale projects. For now, its title, director and casting remain undisclosed, leaving further details to be revealed as the production progresses.
The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on August 11, 2028, placing the story of Rameshwar Nath Kao and the early years of R&AW before a theatrical audience during the Independence Day weekend.
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