Citadel: Honey Bunny is the long-awaited spin-off in the Russo Brothers’ Citadel franchise. Now bringing out the stars Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Citadel might just be attempting to reveal the background of the spy agency. Does this high-stakes drama captivate its audience or falters? Here’s our in-depth review.

What Is It About?

Citadel: Honey Bunny is an action ride over two timelines of 1992 and 2000, a story based on Honey (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) and Bunny (Varun Dhawan), two spies sent to investigate the foundation of the agency. Citadel is a prequel to Priyanka Chopra’s and takes it to explore how Citadel came into existence as an international spy agency that galvanises and forms connections. But because of Honey Bunny, the story cannot withhold intrigue even though it promises an action with character development at its helm.

Script & Storyline: Slow start, a few punches on the way

The storyline moves forward quite slowly. The first episode of this series doesn’t seem to catch much attention. The story progresses with Honey portrayed by Samantha at its own pace while introducing characters like Kay Kay Menon, Sikandar Kher, and Saqib Salim in quite a half-hearted manner. But as soon as Honey’s character catches up speed, the series catches up fast and turns out to be an exciting spy thriller.

The film really takes off when the back-story of Varun Dhawan is narrated. The action sequences were realistic, grounded, and superbly choreographed that looked like a treat to watch. Yet, the pacing goes for a toss since it oscillates between timelines, without even giving one a sense of urgency.

Star Performances: Samantha & Varun Shine

Deep down inside the Citadel is really Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who absolutely owns the show with her fiery take on Honey. From a South Indian woman thrust into the world of espionage, she brings depth and authenticity to the role. For real, from an ambitious struggling actress to a mighty gun-toting spy, the transformation at its core is what makes this a series high in spots. Her action sequences, gritty and intense, are at the core of what elevates the whole show.

With a mantle of quite calmness amidst the chaos, Varun Dhawan as Bunny is truly commendable. Bunny, suave spy in the 90’s, becomes a dedicated dad in search of his daughter. He matches very well with Samantha, with her fire energy being balanced out against his intensity. The both together are really the bedrock of the show.

But what stuns the most is the performance of young Kashvi Majmundar, who plays the role of young Nadia, like Priyanka Chopra in Citadel. The young actress showcased a promising performance and enforced a bold daughter on screen for Honey and Bunny.

What Works: Action & Characterization

Once the series really sets in, the scenes are full of spectacular action sequences. The first powerful kick that Samantha delivers in this series is going to grab attention for sure, and the dynamic between the leads keeps the audience highly engaged. This series has done commendable work while still retaining its action and character development, especially with Samantha’s gripping journey from wannabe actress to fierce spy.

The chemistry between Samantha and Varun Dhawan adds another layer to the show. With a solid supporting cast, including Kay Kay Menon, who brings gravitas to his role, the performances are complemented.
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What Doesn’t Work: The Confusing Plot

Action and performances side the series, but screenplay and storyline will somewhere fall short. The story evolves from the two timelines—1992 and 2000—with huge confusion and at times chokes the plot. For many characters in the entire series, the difference between the bad guys and the good guys is never clarified; this leaves most of the answers as questions for the audience. The mystery about the forces in shadows and what Project Talwar was meant to do is never fully explained to the audience, and it sometimes becomes chaotic trying to follow the plot.

The show even fluctuates between tones of spy drama and personal love story, which not always hits the right note. There is never any clear communication of what the mission of Citadel is supposed to be, which translates to incoherence, especially for the final episodes.

Final Thoughts: Engaging Despite Its Flaws

Citadel: Honey Bunny is at least character-driven action thriller, failing miserably in terms of plot and pacing. At least the chemistry between Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan combined with their performances make this show worth watching. If not the perfect spy drama, it is at least the best installment in the Citadel universe so far.

Well, the show is lively action, excellent performances, and develops the characters much so that the weak plot and the pacing issues go well hidden.

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