Citadel: Honey Bunny Review – Samantha and Varun Dhawan Lead a High-Octane Spy Thriller, But Does It Match ‘Family Man’?

Cast: Varun Dhawan, Samantha, Kay Kay Menon, Sikandar Kher, Shaqib Salim, Simran, and others

Writers: Seetha R. Menon, Raj & DK

Directors: Krishna D.K., Raj Nidimoru

Music: Aman Pant

Cinematography: Johan Hurlein

Editing: Sumit Kotian

Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Release Date: November 7, 2024

Having successfully created popular series like ‘Family Man‘ and ‘Farzi,’ directors Raj & DK have garnered significant recognition. Recently, they launched another highly anticipated series under their direction called ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny.’ Bollywood star Varun Dhawan and the glamorous Samantha Ruth Prabhu lead in this series titled ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny,’ which is now streaming on Amazon Prime. Is this series, which arrives with the flair of a James Bond movie and presents a spy action thriller, impressive to the OTT audience? Does Samantha captivate once again in a role similar to her ‘Family Man’ persona? Let’s find out in this review.

What’s the Story

Bunny (Varun Dhawan) is a stuntman who also operates as a secret agent. Guru (Kay Kay Menon) leads a private secret agency. During a shoot, Bunny meets junior artist Honey (Samantha) and soon involves her in a compulsory secret operation. The dramatic events of the mission lead Bunny to believe that Honey has died. Eight years later, he discovers that Honey is alive and they have a five-year-old daughter named Nadia (Kashvi Majmundar). Bunny who is abroad returns to India to find them. Meanwhile, some are attempting to kill Honey and her daughter. Who are these individuals? What challenges does Bunny face while searching for his wife? What secrets does Honey possess? What is in the armory that the villainous gang seeks?

Performances

In his role as Bunny, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan delivers a solid performance, excelling in action sequences. However, it is Samantha who truly shines in the series. Her acting, alongside her prowess in fight scenes, stands out. She skillfully portrays a secret agent, a lover, and a mother, offering a feast for the eyes in her romantic scenes with Varun Dhawan. Just like in the ‘Family Man’ series, she also sizzles in hot scenes. The series largely revolves around the screen presence of Varun and Samantha. Samantha captivates with her glamour, while young Kashvi Majmundar profoundly influences the storyline with her emotional performance. Kay Kay Menon, Simran, and the rest of Bunny’s team do their roles.

Direction

While ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ doesn’t offer much novelty in terms of storyline, the way it is presented and the screenplay are commendable. The directors Raj & DK have cleverly divided each episode into two parts, spanning the years 1992 and 2000, which adds intrigue. They’ve managed to clearly present the connections between the characters across the timelines without confusion. While the first two episodes are mostly introductory, the story picks up from the third episode. The struggle between Honey-Bunny and the villain gang to seize a world-dominating armored object is captivating. However, the lack of thrilling elements on par with ‘Family Man,’ the absence of twists, and episodes lasting over 50 minutes each are drawbacks.

Technically..

On the technical front, all departments have performed well. Aman Pant’s background score is notable. Johan Herlein’s cinematography is a special attraction, capturing fight and chase scenes that will enthrall action lovers. However, more care could have been taken with the editing. The production values adhered to by Russo and Raj DK are commendable.

Plus Points

• Samantha, Varun Dhawan
• Action sequences
• Technical team

Minus Points

• Routine story
• Length of episodes
• Lack of twists

Rating by Telugu.yousay.tv: 3/5