Karan Johar is bringing the story of one of India’s most influential intelligence officers to the big screen. Six years after Dharma Productions first announced its plans to adapt Nitin Gokhale’s R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster, the yet-untitled film has now been formally revived with a theatrical release date of August 11, 2028. The project, co-produced by Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective, will explore the life and work of Rameshwar Nath Kao, the founding chief of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).The film is expected to trace a crucial phase of Kao’s career, from the development of India’s external intelligence machinery to R&AW’s role during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. While the cast and director remain under wraps, the makers have described the project as a large-scale espionage film based on true events.
Who was R.N. Kao?
According to Hindustan Times, Rameshwar Nath Kao was born in Benares in 1918 into a Kashmiri family. He studied at Lucknow University and Allahabad University before entering government service. In 1940, he cleared the Civil Services examination and joined the Indian Imperial Police, the predecessor to the Indian Police Service. Around the time of India’s independence, Kao was deputed to the Intelligence Bureau, where he worked on security arrangements involving Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. His career subsequently took him into some of India’s most sensitive intelligence assignments.During the 1950s, Kao was involved in helping establish an intelligence and security organisation in Ghana. He was also associated with investigations into the bombing of the Air India aircraft Kashmir Princess, working alongside Chinese and British authorities on the case.
How R.N. Kao helped build R&AW
The afore mentioned publication also stated in their report that the 1962 India-China War exposed significant weaknesses in India’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. In its aftermath, Kao was given an important role in developing a dedicated mechanism for gathering intelligence relating to military and external security matters. He became the first director of the Aviation Research Centre, which at the time functioned under the Intelligence Bureau. In 1968, the government created the Research and Analysis Wing, better known as R&AW, as a separate external intelligence organisation.Kao became its first chief and remained at the helm until 1977. During those formative years, he was involved in building the organisation’s structure and intelligence network.
R.N. Kao and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
The 1971 India-Pakistan War became one of the defining chapters of Kao’s career. During the conflict that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, R&AW supported the Mukti Bahini resistance movement through training and arms assistance during the early stages of the conflict. Kao’s role in the period has been extensively discussed in accounts of India’s intelligence operations during the Bangladesh Liberation War. His work also extended beyond the battlefield, involving intelligence assessments and coordination at the highest levels of the Indian government. Documents held in India’s Ministry of External Affairs archives also show Kao’s direct involvement in official engagements concerning Bangladesh after the 1971 conflict.Author Ashok Raina, in his book Inside R&AW, wrote about the agency’s assessment of the situation and the establishment of guerrilla training camps along India’s border.
R.N. Kao’s association with Indira Gandhi
Kao also developed a close working relationship with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. His access to the prime minister was an important aspect of his role as India’s external intelligence chief. His longtime associate Victor Longer recalled the nature of that relationship, saying, “Intelligence is the only government business that depends upon the spoken word. Sometimes you can understand signs and body language. Kao had that rapport with Mrs Gandhi.”Kao left his position as R&AW chief after the change in government following the 1977 General Election. When Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980, he returned to government service and subsequently served as an adviser on national security matters, including during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure.
Kao’s role in the NSG and Sikkim
Kao remained involved in India’s security establishment after his years at R&AW. During the 1980s, he was associated with the establishment of the National Security Guard, which was created as a specialised force for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations. He was also involved in matters surrounding Sikkim’s integration with the Indian Union. Kao eventually withdrew from public life and died in 2002 at the age of 83.
Karan Johar’s film will explore Kao’s intelligence legacy
The upcoming Dharma Productions film is based on Nitin Gokhale’s R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster, published in 2019. The story is expected to focus on a significant period between 1955 and 1971, including the developments that ultimately led to the formation of R&AW and the agency’s early operations. The project was originally announced in January 2020, making the latest announcement a revival of a film that has been in development for several years. The makers have not yet announced the director or lead actor, although current reports indicate that an A-list actor is expected to headline the project.Karan Johar 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.”The film is scheduled to arrive in theatres on August 11, 2028, during the Independence Day weekend.