Karan Johar has officially set his sights on the world of espionage. On the 58th anniversary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the producer announced that Dharma Productions is bringing the story of the agency’s legendary founder, Rameshwar Nath Kao, to the big screen. The yet-untitled project will be based on Nitin Gokhale’s acclaimed book, Gentleman Spymaster, and is already generating buzz for its ambitious scale and historical significance.
Sharing the news on social media, Karan Johar paid tribute to the man who operated in the shadows to build India’s intelligence backbone. The film aims to chronicle the crucial period between 1955 and 1971, culminating in the historic 1971 war against Pakistan. It will dive deep into the formation of R&AW in 1968, showcasing the strategist’s role as the central figure behind the agency’s creation and its inaugural mission.
The project is a collaborative effort between Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective, with a high-profile team including Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Amritpal Singh Bindra. According to the production house, Leo Media Collective has spent the last two years meticulously researching and dramatising the narrative to ensure a gripping, fact-based cinematic experience. This film marks another strategic partnership between the two banners, following their work on Bad Newz and the upcoming Kesari: Chapter 2.
While the casting and directorial choices remain under wraps, the production timeline is already in motion. The film is slated to go on floors by mid-2026, with a worldwide theatrical release scheduled for August 11, 2028. As the industry gears up for this large-scale espionage-action feature, fans are eagerly waiting to see which star will step into the shoes of the iconic spymaster.