Citadel: Honey Bunny Review – Samantha Ruth Prabhu Steals the Show, While Varun Dhawan Prepares for His Turn

 Samantha Ruth Prabhu steals the spotlight in Raj and DK's uneven series Citadel Honey Bunny. While Varun Dhawan seems poised to step into a larger role possibly gearing up for a Terminator esque transformation in the upcoming season this one is all about Samantha. She truly explodes off the screen, making her the undeniable standout in this otherwise clunky show.

Citadel Honey Bunny review: So, what’s next for Varun Dhawan? It looks like he's prepping for a Terminator-like transformation, which is set to drive the next season. But in this one, it’s all about Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who completely dominates the screen.

First things first: all hail the arrival of Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Indian cinema’s first true female action star, who commands our attention from the very beginning and never lets go throughout the six-part series 'Citadel: Honey Bunny'. Coiled and ready for action, she explodes off the screen whenever the script calls for it—and the demand is relentless. As Honey, a family woman turned agile spy who will go to any lengths to protect her daughter, Samantha is the undeniable highlight of this series. Directed and written by Raj and DK (with Sita Menon also credited as a writer and director), and executive produced by the Russo Bros, 'Citadel: Honey Bunny' belongs to Samantha through and through.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s return since her stunning performance in 'Family Man' Season 2, where she stole every scene she was in. In 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', the action picks up when a major turning point shakes up her character and her ultra-precocious daughter, Nadia (Kashvi Majmundar). From that moment, the story unfolds with Samantha setting the tone, while other characters, including Varun Dhawan’s Bunny, make their entrance only after she’s firmly established the scene.

Unlike many female stars who are relegated to a bit of action on the side, Samantha’s Honey takes center stage from the get-go and stays there, even when the series itself falters. This prequel to the lackluster 2023 'Citadel' starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas is far superior to Raj and DK's earlier misfire, 'Guns and Gulaabs'. However, it still lacks the sharpness of the 'Family Man' series. The signature Raj and DK blend of movie buff humor, seriousness, comedy, and action often feels forced and clunky in places, which makes the show work in fits and starts rather than flowing seamlessly.

Honey and Bunny’s meet-cute happens in a past life on a film set Honey arrives in Mumbai with dreams of becoming an actress, while Bunny is a fearless stuntman. But their story quickly takes a darker turn, leading Honey to become an 'agent,' just like Bunny. It’s not that Varun Dhawan doesn’t put effort into his character—he has his moments, with several sequences showcasing his daring stunts. But he’s up against a performer in Samantha Ruth Prabhu who is operating on a completely different level when it comes to making us believe in the more far-fetched elements of the story.

The word ‘agent’ takes on a generic feel as we’re introduced to Baba’s (Kay Kay Menon) deep-state surveillance and arms agency, a ragtag group sporting sideburns and bell-bottoms (a less attention-grabbing, but still nostalgic, 90s touch compared to *Guns and Gulaabs*). Unfortunately, this crew lacks the tough, hardened edge you’d expect from spies. Varun Dhawan’s Rahi, aka Bunny, leads the charge, flanked by his quick-witted backup (Shivankit Singh Parihar) and a jokey computer nerd (Soham Majumdar—because, of course, there’s always one). But this trio could easily be plucked from any spy story; what truly sets a series apart in today’s oversaturated spy-and-criminal mediaverse is the ability to make characters stand out, and here, they don’t.

There is a moment of distinction, however, that briefly sharpens our focus. A respected Indian scientist at a Belgrade convention holds a device capable of saving the world. While the ‘device that can save the world’ trope is as old as Bond, the dynamic between the scientist (Thalaivasaai Vijay) and Honey is fresh enough to spark some interest. But soon after, the plot shifts to a lackluster series of interactions with a new set of characters, including Simran as the leader and Sikander Kher as her main follower. The dullness deepens as Saqib Saleem, a glowering Baba acolyte, competes with Bunny for Baba's favor, his character inexplicably given a lone ranger subplot that goes nowhere. The momentum fades, and the intrigue drains away.

It’s up to Honey, on the run with her daughter Nadia—named after her mother’s favorite actress, Fearless Nadia, and portrayed by Priyanka in her grown-up version—to save the day. And, naturally, she does. In style. So, where does that leave Varun Dhawan? Well, it seems he’s gearing up for a Terminator-like transformation, likely to drive the next season. But in this one, it’s all about Samantha. She owns the show from start to finish.