Movie Name: Citadel: Honey Bunny
Release Date: 07 November, 2024
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Starring: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Varun Dhawan, Kashvi Majumder, Kay Kay Menon, Simran Bagga, Saqid Saleem, Soham Majumder, Shivankit Singh Parihar and others.
Director: Raj and DK, Sita R. Menon
Producer: Syed Zaid Ali, Alec Konik, Raj and DK, and others
Music Director: Sachin-Jigar, Aman Pant
Cinematographer: Johan Heurlin Edt
Editor: Sumeet Kotian
Related Link: Trailer
The much-awaited spy action thriller Citadel: Honey Bunny has officially dropped on Amazon Prime Video today. The series starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan in the lead has created a lot of excitement. Read our review to find out how this web series directed by Raj and DK fares.
Story:
Set in the year 2000, Honeymandhakini – better known as Honey (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) – finds herself entangled in a web of danger as her past resurfaces to take revenge. Her main priority is to save her little daughter, Nadia (Kaashvi Majmundar), from Baba (Kay Kay Menon) and his ruthless gang, who are about to attack them. At the same time, Rahi Gambhir, also known as Bunny (Varun Dhawan), is on a quest to track down Honey. Who is Honey really, and why does Baba’s gang constantly pursue her? What hidden connection connects her to Bunny, and is there a deep history between them? Will Honey be able to find a way to escape the dangers that surround her? With each episode, the series unravels these mysteries.
Plus Points:
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, best known for her role in The Family Man Season 2, returns to the screen with Raj and DK in Citadel, which has high expectations. In a captivating role as Honey – a determined mother and skilled spy – she charms with a mix of strength and vulnerability, and delivers a fine performance.
Varun Dhawan accompanies her well as her partner, adding charm and depth to his role. Their scenes together are fun, creating memorable moments that add to the series’ appeal.
An enjoyable aspect is the character of Honey’s younger daughter Nadia, played by Kashvi Majmundar. Her scenes add warmth and lightness, while her interactions with Samantha’s character are both cute and entertaining.
Supporting roles by Kay Kay Menon, Saqid Saleem, Soham Majumdar and Shivankit Singh Parihar are all fine. The climactic single-shot action sequence is a highlight, impressively choreographed to create a visually gripping scene.
Minus Points:
Despite its star-studded cast, Citadel: Honey Bunny falls short in storytelling. The writing, penned by Raj and DK along with Sita R Menon, doesn’t reach the expected standard, lacking the sharpness and engaging twists that are often associated with their work. Sumit Arora’s dialogues also seem less impressive.
For fans expecting Raj and DK’s typical storytelling, this series might be a disappointment. The narrative lacks cohesion, and the frequent time shifts between 1992 and 2000 can be confusing, disrupting the flow and engagement.
As a spy thriller and a prequel to the famous series Citadel, it falls short in terms of suspense and tension, lacking cliffhangers. Kay Kay Menon’s character, who was supposed to be a formidable presence, seems underdeveloped, lacking the intensity needed for a strong antagonist. Simran’s character, despite being promising initially, ultimately seems underused.
The action sequences required for this genre lack the intensity needed to deliver genuine thrills. Compared to the international Citadel series, the Indian adaptation is somehow better, but misses the mark on adrenaline-pumping scenes that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Technical Aspects:
Raj and DK, along with Sita R Menon, struggle to make Citadel: Honey Bunny an immersive experience, lacking well-executed thrills and action. Cinematographer Johan Herlin Edt’s work is commendable, and the production has successfully recreated the 90s atmosphere. However, the music is average and doesn’t add the required tension in places, and the editing could have needed more precision to reduce lagging scenes.
Verdict:
Overall, Citadel: Honey Bunny doesn’t live up to its expectations as a prequel to Citadel. Samantha and Varun Dhawan have performed well, but the series lacks the required thrill, engaging action and narrative depth expected in a spy drama. While there are some fun scenes, the slow pace and lack of entertaining elements may leave action lovers dissatisfied. This film is for Samantha fans, but thrill seekers may have to adjust their expectations a bit.
