Citadel – Honey Bunny Review: Lots of action, but Varun Dhawan and Samantha’s series gets messed up in the plot

Story of ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’

Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s ‘Citadel Honey Bunny’ is an Indian spin-off of Russo Brothers’ ‘Citadel’. We saw Russo Brothers’ ‘Citadel’ in the year 2023. In this, Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas were in lead roles. This was followed by its Italian spin-off ‘Citadel: Diana’ in 2024. Now it is the turn of the Indian spin-off. The story takes place before both these previous series. There is a stuntman and a struggling actress. Both get entangled in a huge web of espionage and deception. he/she wants to save his/her daughter from her dangerous past and hence the dreadful present.

Stuntman Rahi aka Bunny (Varun Dhawan) recruits his/her friend and struggling actress Honey (Samantha) for a mission. The two have to retrieve a high-tech gadget and stop a dangerous project. But on this mission, protocols are broken, questions of loyalty arise and from here we enter a world of mission-filled action and conspiracy.

This web series tells the story of the early days of the mysterious syndicate. This syndicate wants to destroy the spy agency, Citadel. The story also takes us to the early days of Agent Nadia (Kashvi Majmundar), who is played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas later in the story.

Watch the trailer of ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ here

‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ web series review

Writer-directors Raj and DK have created a spy thriller with brilliant fight choreography that keeps the audience engaged. The action sequences maintain the fast pace of the story. But without these the story often loses its shine. The story of ‘Citadel Honey Bunny’ is such that you can easily guess it. In such a situation its attraction is a little less. But Raj and DK have added many twists that both surprise and entertain you. The sequences like Honey’s conversation with his/her ailing father or the revelation of the spy’s identity are enjoyable.

The production design of the show is excellent. It takes you back to the 90s and early 2000s. There may not be new-age gadgets and hi-tech vehicles here, but the action sequences keep the thrill on screen.

The plot of a common citizen entering or rather being pushed into the world of espionage hints at a lot more to come in this franchise. But Honey’s story of transformation from a struggling actress to a dangerous spy should have been shown a little more. This is because in this case we only get to see his/her training. Whereas his/her moral thinking makes him/her different from other spies. Therefore, if a little more emphasis was given on this, the matter could have been interesting.

Varun Dhawan has done a great job with complete honesty. he/she shines as the fiercely loyal and misguided character of Bunny. There is enthusiasm in the pairing of him/her and Samantha and both perform spectacular stunts together. Yes, their chemistry as a couple on screen is lacking. KK Menon is terrific as a cunning detective. Child artist Kashvi Majmundar is very brave, fearless, sharp and impressive in the role of little Nadia. She arguably lays the foundation for Priyanka Chopra’s lead role in the franchise.

‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ has strong action sequences. he/she is an excellent artist. But in many cases like plot and pace of the story, it becomes a little weak. It cannot be called the best series of spy-thriller genre, but if you love action then there is a lot in it to keep you engaged.