Citadel Honey Bunny Review:
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon, Saqib Salim, Shivankit Singh Parihar & others
Creator: Russo Brothers
Director: Raj & DK
Streaming On: Prime Video
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 6 episodes of 50 minutes each
It was in 2023 that Priyanka Chopra arrived as Nadia Singh in the Russo Brothers' Citadel. The story was based in 2023 and was about a spy. However, it was not well-received thanks to its shoddy screenplay, but that did not let the producers hesitate to drop a spin-off - the Italian version, which was based in the year 2030.
Now the Indian chapter arrives as a prequel to the 2023 version that starred Priyanka Chopra, with Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu playing parents to Priyanka Chopra's Diana and weaving a story that narrates the origin of Citadel. Basically, what it is, and how did the agency weave its Spy world!
Does the story build up an intrigue to hold and captivate one as an audience for six long episodes to find the roots of this Spyverse created by the Russo brothers? TBH, No! But does this version of this Spyverse supersede the other two versions? Definitely Yes! Read on to learn our entire review and why Citadel fails in parts but majorly works in its entirety
The world of Citadel: Honey Bunny presents Varun Dhawan as a spy working for an agency run by Kay Kay Menon. He incorporates Samantha in this mission that aims to fight against another Mission run by another agency, and after a very long wait, you discover who is working on the right side and who is on the wrong side!
There comes a point when Samantha asks, 'Tum log karte kya ho? Tum log acche log ho ya bure log?' and Varun replies, "It's not that simple." Citadel, honestly, summarizes the entire episode in this one dialogue. It needs your patience and trust. You need to give it time while it builds its world, one scene at a time. It introduces all its characters very lethargically - from Kay Kay Menon to Sikandar Kher to Saqib Salim!
Samantha Ruth Prabhu is the sun of this entire web series. She shines bright, giving life to each and every character in this Universe. Her act and transformation from a coy, wannabe, struggling actress into a fierce, courageous, and strong spy kicking her way out of a mess with more fierce punches is a treat to watch on-screen. She gets better with each act sequence and surprises with her finesse and how easily she shifts gears. Raj & DK do a brilliant job characterizing Honey as a South Indian, justifying that accent to every bit! Varun Dhawan is the moon of this series, the one bringing warmth and calmness amidst all the chaos. His act as the young Bunny working as a suave spy in the 90s impresses, while his transformation as a mature independent officer, searching for his daughter and lost soulmate (Honey) in the 2000s, forms the entire crux of this web series. Varun's maturity as an intelligent father on a search mission is impressive and applaudable.
However, the core of this Universe is little Kashvi Majmundar, who plays Nadia, the young Priyanka Chopra in this web series. The child is a miracle on screen. She is convincing as the sharp child who knows it all while she is on an escape mission with her mother to maintain distance from the violent world as much as possible!
Wo Hero Hi Kya Jo Heroine Ko Bachaye Bina Mar Jaaye, claims Varun Dhawan in a scene from the web series. The climax should have promised heroic hype, but everything just fizzles with nothing happening in the climax, turning the story again into a snoozefest.
Life mein direction bahut powerful cheez hoti hai, says Varun Dhawan's character at one point. But Raj & DK forgot that web series mein story bahut powerful cheez hoti hai and Citadel falls flat on that front. But still, it is the best that has been offered out of the three web series and definitely deserves a watch for Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu & Kashvi Majmundar, who are holding the fort very strongly despite a shaky storyline!
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