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



Writers: Seetha R. Menon, Raj &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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 DhawanAction sequencesTechnical team



Minus Points



Routine storyLength of episodesLack of twists



Rating by Telugu.yousay.tv: 3/5


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


There was a time when audiences relied on theaters for entertainment. With the advent of OTT platforms, that entertainment is now accessible in every home. These platforms provide the convenience of watching new movies and series from the comfort of your couch. Leading OTT platforms release fresh content every week, keeping the audience entertained. This weekend, too, several interesting films and web series are debuting on OTT. What are they, where can you stream them, and what are their plots? Let’s dive in.



Bagheera



Starring Sri Murali and Rukmini Vasanth in lead roles, Bagheera is directed by Dr. Suri. Released during Diwali on October 31 in multiple languages, the movie is now ready to entertain on OTT. It will be streaming on Netflix from November 21. The plot revolves around Vedant Prabhakar (Sri Murali), who dreams of becoming a superhero since childhood. Following his mother’s advice, he becomes a powerful police officer. Under his tenure, crime in Mangalore was completely controlled. However, what emotional turning point changes Vedant’s life? Why does this honest officer turn corrupt? What events lead him to become Bagheera? How does he confront Rana (Garuda Ram), who is involved in organ trafficking? These questions form the crux of the story.







Martin



Featuring Dhruva Sarja and Vaibhavi Shandilya, Martin is a Kannada action thriller that recently hit the screens and has now landed on OTT. It is available in Telugu on Aha from November 19, and also on Amazon Prime in Telugu and other South Indian languages. The plot follows Arjun, an Indian who gets arrested in Pakistan. After escaping, Arjun discovers that the reason for his imprisonment is Martin. Who is Martin? Why did he target Arjun? And what led Arjun to Pakistan? The story unfolds these mysteries.







Kishkindha Kaandam



For those looking for a good psychological thriller this weekend, Kishkindha Kaandam is an excellent choice. Starring Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali, this Malayalam film was recently released to critical acclaim. It started streaming on Hotstar from November 19 and is also available in Telugu. The story revolves around Aparna (Aparna Balamurali) and Ajay (Asif Ali), a married couple. Ajay’s father, Appu Pillai, is a retired army major. One day, his gun goes missing, leading to an investigation that reveals shocking truths to Aparna. What is Appu Pillai’s past? What happened to his wife and second son? Is Ajay connected to their disappearance? The answers lie in the story.







Laggam



With Sai Ronak and Pragya Nagra in lead roles, Laggam is directed by Ramesh Cheppala. Set against the backdrop of a Telangana wedding, this film was released on October 25 to positive reviews. It will be streaming on Aha from November 22. The plot revolves around Sadanandam, who is impressed by his nephew Chaitanya’s software career and decides to marry his daughter Manasa to him. Sadanandam even plans a dowry (Laggam) for the wedding. However, Chaitanya resigns from his job, leading Sadanandam to halt the wedding. Meanwhile, Manasa, who initially wasn’t interested in the marriage, falls for Chaitanya. Does the wedding happen? Find out in the story.







Alien: Romulus



For fans of Hollywood, an exciting sci-fi movie, Alien: Romulus, has made its way to OTT. After making waves at the global box office, it is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from November 21 in English, Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil. The plot centers on space settlers who scavenge materials from an abandoned space station. During their search, they are attacked by a strange alien creature. Do they survive? That’s the story.







I Hate Love



Starring Subbu, Srivalli, and Kittayya, I Hate Love comes with the tagline "I Fell in Love." Directed by Venkatesh V, the movie hit theaters on February 16 and is now streaming on ETV Win after nine months, starting November 21. The story follows Rambabu, who dislikes the idea of love but unexpectedly falls for a young woman named Seetha. However, her father, fearing societal norms, opposes their marriage. How does Rambabu win his love? The rest of the story answers this question.







Repati Velugu



A new love entertainer, Repati Velugu, started streaming on ETV Win on November 21. Directed by Veeran, the film features Shatru, Prashant Karthi, Vismaya Sri, and Adwik Bandaru. Repati Velugu touches on significant social issues and is an emotional drama.







Usha Parinayam



Released on November 14 on ETV Win, Usha Parinayam features Sree Kamal as the lead, directed by star filmmaker K. Vijay Bhaskar. Tanvi Akanksha plays the heroine. The film, which hit theaters in August, garnered mixed reviews from the youth. The plot follows Honey (Sree kamal), who rejects Usha during a matchmaking session, only to later work with her in a fashion company. Gradually, he starts liking her, but Usha gets engaged to someone else. Does Honey win her love? The story reveals.







Maa Nanna Super Hero



Starring Sudheer Babu and directed by Abhilash Reddy, Maa Nanna Super Hero was released on October 11 and is now streaming on Amazon Prime from November 13. The story revolves around Johnny (Sudheer Babu), who becomes an orphan after his father (Saichand) goes to jail. Adopted by Srinivas, a stockbroker (Shayaji Shinde), Johnny's arrival disrupts Srinivas’ life, pushing him into debt. Srinivas grows to resent Johnny, but Johnny continues to show love towards him. When Srinivas lands in trouble with a politician, how does Johnny help? Does he reunite with his biological father? That’s the plot.







Deadpool &amp; Wolverine



The Hollywood blockbuster Deadpool &amp; Wolverine recently made its OTT debut. Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil, the film features Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. The plot revolves around Wade Wilson, alias Deadpool, a car salesman living a simple life. One day, he is abducted by Paradox operatives from the Time Variance Authority and taken to Earth 616. Deadpool needs Wolverine’s help to navigate this new reality. What is Earth 616? Why was Deadpool taken there? What adventures do Deadpool and Wolverine embark on? That’s the story.







Upcoming Movies and Series on OTT



TitleCategoryLanguagePlatformRelease DateSandehamMovieTelugu&nbsp;ETV WinNov 23Vikatakavi&nbsp;SeriesTeluguZee 5Nov 28Bloody BeggarMovieTelugu DubAmazonNov 29Lucky BhaskarMovieTeluguNetflixNov 30AmaranMovieTelugu DubNetflixDec 11Squid Games S2SeriesTelugu DubNetflixDec 26


OTT Suggestions:"From Blockbusters to Binge-Worthy Shows: Top OTT Releases This Week You Can't Miss!"


This weekend can certainly be called a festival for OTT enthusiasts. In celebration of Independence Day on August 15th, several new films have been released for streaming, all set to entertain. Additionally, intriguing web series have also made their way to OTT platforms. What are these films? What are their plots? Where are they streaming? Let's find out in this special report.



Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra



The prominent OTT platform, ETV Win, has brought another family entertainer this week. Streaming since August 14, "Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra" features senior actor Naresh, Srilakshmi, and young actors Rag Mayoor and Priya Vadlamani. Directed by Anurag Palutla, the film is set against the backdrop of a middle-class family. The plot revolves around Nageswara Rao (Naresh), a math teacher struggling to support his family. After losing his job and with his daughter's wedding fixed, he needs money urgently. A potential buyer offers ₹60 lakhs for a house in Goa bought by his father Veeranjaneyulu. This leads the family to embark on a journey to Goa to sell the house. How does this journey impact Nageswara Rao's family?







Manorathangal



The Malayalam anthology series "Manorathangal," featuring stars like Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Fahadh Faasil, began streaming on Zee5 from August 15. Based on stories written by the renowned writer and director M.T. Vasudevan Nair, this series consists of nine stories and was directed by eight different directors. The participation of Malayalam stars has sparked considerable interest among viewers.







Pekamedalu



The Telugu movie "Pekamedalu," a crime comedy drama, has made its way to OTT just a month after its theatrical release. Starring Vinoth Kishan and Anusha Nuthula, and directed by Neelagiri Mamilla, it started streaming on ETV Win from August 15. The plot follows Lakshman and Varalakshmi, a couple living in an area by the Musi river. Despite being an engineering graduate, Lakshman remains jobless and dreams of earning millions by selling plots. When Swetha from the US approaches him, seeing him as a wealthy man, what unfolds next? What lesson does Lakshman learn?







OMG



The comedy horror film "OMG (O Manchi Ghost)" arrived on OTT platforms on August 15 and is available to watch on Aha. The movie, directed by Shankar K. Marthand, stars Vennela Kishore, Shakalaka Shankar, Nandita Swetha, Navya Gayak, and Naveen Neni. The plot centers around Chaitanya and his friends who need money and decide to kidnap Keerthi, the daughter of an MLA. They hide her in a bungalow haunted by a ghost that despises kidnappers. What happens next? Do they manage to escape from the bungalow or not?







Darling



Starring the talented actor Priyadarshi and Nabha Natesh, the romantic comedy entertainer "Darling" has been streaming on Hotstar since August 13. The plot revolves around Raghav (Priyadarshi), who dreams of marriage and a honeymoon in Paris since childhood. Anandi (Nabha Natesh), who suffers from multiple personality disorder, enters his life. What challenges does Raghav face with Anandi?







Blink



Starring Deekshith Shetty, who captivated Telugu audiences as a friend to Nani in the movie "Dasara," "Blink" is a science fiction thriller that premiered earlier this year. Streaming on Amazon Prime since August 12, the plot follows Apurva (Deekshith Shetty), a PG dropout who works part-time and falls in love with Swapna (Mandatha). A secret about his father turns Apurva's life upside down, leading him to time travel by blinking his eyes. What caused all this?







EVOL



The bold romantic crime thriller "EVOL" started streaming on Aha from August 15. Directed by Yogi Velagapudi, it stars Surya Srinivas, Shiva Boddu Raju, and Jennifer Emmanuel. The title "EVOL" is "LOVE" spelled backwards, reflecting the film's theme. The plot involves a girl who falls in love with two friends simultaneously and gets physically close to them. But did she truly love them, or was it a trap? How does this love story unfold?







My Perfect Husband



Starring Tamil veteran actor Sathyaraj, the family drama web series "My Perfect Husband" has been streaming on Hotstar since August 16, available in both Tamil and Telugu. Directed by Tamira, the plot focuses on Sathyaraj, a women’s college lecturer whose wife Rekha is proud that her husband never even glances at another woman. However, Sathyaraj had a crush in his youth, and years later, that woman re-enters his life. How does Rekha react when she learns about their past affair?






How was the movie?