Citadel Honey Bunny Review: Is Samantha-Varun Dhawan Starrer Worth Your Time?

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NOVEMBER 07,2024

One of the most awaiting web series, Citadel: Honey Bunny, releases today on Amazon Prime Video. Fans and web series enthusiasts have been waiting with bated breath to see what the Indian version of the spy drama has to offer.

Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden starred in the American version of Citadel. It also stars Stanley Tucci, Ashley Cummings, and Leo Woodall in prominent roles. It was created by David Well and produced by the Russo Brothers.

The Indian adaptation of the infamous spy drama stars Varun Dhawan and Samantha Prabhu in titular roles. While the audience is having high hopes from the Raj and DK directorial, does Citadel: Honey Bunny do justice to the Hollywood spyverse?

What is Citadel Honey Bunny all about?

Before we move on to reviewing the web series, let's understand its plot and storyline.

It was in 2023 that Priyanka Chopra arrived as the fierce Nadia Sinh in the Russo Brothers' Ciatdel. Despite the fabulous starcast, it wasn't that well received, thanks to its shoddy screenplay.

Also Read: Sizzling Chemistry To Intense Action, Here's Why You Must Binge-Watch Priyanka Chopra's Citadel



Now, the Indian version of the spy drama arrives in 2024 as the prequel version to the 2023 version, with Samantha and Varun playing parents to the little PeeCee. It narrates the origin of Citadel, what it is, and how the agency weaved its spyverse.

Does it build an intense plot to keep up with the roots created by the Russo Brothers? To be honest, no. But is it better than the American and Italian versions of Citadel? Yes.

Citadel Honey Bunny review: What works?

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is the sun of the entire show who shines bright and carries the entire weight of entertaining the audience on her shoulders. Her performance gives light to each and every episode in this spy universe.

Her transformation from a coy, underconfident, and shy struggling actress to a fierce, strong, and courageous spy kicking her way out of mess (literally) is a treat to watch.

Also Read: Samantha Reflects on Career Mistakes Ahead of Citadel: Honey Bunny Release

With each act and every episode, Samantha surprises the viewers with how easily she can shift gears and emotions that will captivate you.


As for Varun Dhawan, he is the moon of the show, bringing in calmness and warmth amidst all the chaos. His act as a young officer Bunny in the 1990s is impressive.

However, his transformation from the naive officer to a fierce and mature spy who is in search of her daughter and long-lost soulmate (Honey) in the 2000s forms the entire cruz of the series.

Having said that, the entire core of the universe is Kashvi Majumdar, the child actor who plays the role of Nadia, the young Priyanka Chopra in the series. She is as convincing as a smart kid on the screen who knows it all while she's on an escape mission with her mother to stay away from the violent world.

Citadel Honey Bunny review: What doesn't work?

The first episode, which sets the introductory base for the series, was snoozefest. But it all begins with Samantha Ruth Prabhu's ferocious kick, which will want you to wake up and be glued to the screens.

While the action sequences work in their favour, the shoddy screenplay and lethargic introduction to each character, be it Kay Kay Menon or Saqib Salim, becomes the major shortcoming of the Indian version of the spy drama.


Another drawback is the oscillating timeline between 1992 and 2000. Despite the distinction between the two timelines being very specific, there is still some lost in translation happening, which leaves you confused.

What could have been a seamless watching experience becomes a quest of figuring out who is the good guy, who is the evil, and what is the mission the team is fighting for.

Citadel review: Conclusion

The writers have taken the mantra "to each his own" quite seriously and left the viewers to predict their own climax. While the last episode is filled with heroic hype, the journey to reach there is a mix of snoozefest and bafflement.

Having said all of that, the final words about Citadel Honey Bunny would be us leaning towards a positive review despite certain shortcomings. The Indian version of Citadel might have become the best of all three versions.

It is Varun Dhawan, Samantha Prabhu, and Kashvi Majumdar who hold the fort strong despite a shaky storyline.

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