Reel vs. Real: Is Tabu's Khufiya based on a real-life incident? Here's what we know

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National Award-winning filmmaker, Vishal Bharadwaj, is gearing up to make a resounding comeback, setting the stage ablaze with remarkable projects. The highly anticipated Khufiya, a gripping espionage-thriller slated for release on Netflix on October 5, 2023. The production is masterminded by the brilliant Vishal Bharadwaj as well, promising an exciting cinematic experience.

This espionage-thriller boasts a powerhouse ensemble featuring talents like Tabu, Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Azmeri Haque Badhon, and more in prominent roles. The plot, as depicted in the trailer, centers around Ali Fazal's character, a RAW operative. However, intrigue deepens as he comes under scrutiny by India's Secret Service due to his involvement with classified documents.

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The question that inevitably arises is whether Khufiya is a true story. The answer is, allegedly, yes. Khufiya is apparently grounded in reality, drawing its inspiration from Amar Bhushan's espionage novel "Escape to Nowhere." Though Bhushan's novel is labelled as fictional, the makers of Khufiya assert otherwise, painting a vivid narrative based on real-life events.

It is absolutely crucial to mention that before embarking on the journey of becoming a writer, Amar Bhushan served in the BSF intelligence, State Special Branch, and Intelligence Bureau of India for a short period of time. Furthermore, Amar also worked in the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

The novel revolves around a traitor, drawing from Rabinder Singh's spying career. Singh, a former Joint Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), defected to the United States in 2004. He was accused of passing sensitive information to the U.S., sparking a furor within the Indian intelligence circles.

Interestingly, Bhushan used fictional aliases in his novel, subtly referencing real individuals. Rabinder Singh became Ravi Mohan, and the then RAW chief, C.D. Sahay, took on the moniker Wasan. Singh's escape to the U.S. through Nepal under the guise of "Mr. and Mrs. Rajpal Prasad Sharma" unfolded as a riveting tale.

The storyline in Khufiya delves into Singh's intricate escape plans, the subsequent surveillance efforts by RAW, and the political complexities that unfolded, ultimately allowing him to evade capture and settle in the United States.

In 2016, tragic news emerged of Rabinder Singh's demise in a road accident in Maryland, USA. The man, once a key figure in Indian intelligence, found himself embroiled in controversy and faced financial woes after the CIA ceased its support.

Khufiya is set to be an espionage series unlike any other, with a commitment to unraveling a story allegedly deeply rooted in reality. We already anticipate that it will captivate audiences.