Karan Johar to bring R&AW founder's story to big screen
Rameshwar Nath Kao, founder of India's external intelligence agency R&AW, whose role in the 1971 war with Pakistan was significant in the events leading to the emergence of Bangladesh.
Bollywood producer-director Karan Johar has announced a feature film on Rameshwar Nath Kao, founder of India's external intelligence agency R&AW, whose role in the 1971 war with Pakistan was significant in the events leading to the emergence of Bangladesh.
Karan Johar made the announcement today (21 September), marking 58 years since the establishment of R&AW.
Johar said in a media statement that the film is planned for theatrical release on 11 August 2028, as part of celebrations marking R&AW's 60th anniversary.
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Based on former NDTV journalist Nitin Gokhale's book "Gentleman Spymaster", the film will trace Kao's journey from 1955 to 1971, including the events that led to the creation of R&AW and its first major mission during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Johar, who owns Bollywood's Dharma Productions, said, "Leo Media Collective 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."
The director and cast of the proposed film have not yet been disclosed, but media reports said the makers are expected to cast an A-list actor in the lead role.
Before taking charge of R&AW, Kao served as head of the Intelligence Bureau's Aviation Research Centre and worked closely with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
He was also involved in several sensitive intelligence operations and played a key role in the events surrounding Bangladesh's emergence in 1971.
