Varun Dhawan, Samantha's 'Citadel: Honey Bunny' Unveils Trailer

By Naman Ramachandran

Prime Video has unveiled an action-packed trailer for “Citadel: Honey Bunny,” the Indian instalment in the “Citadel” spy franchise. It stars Varun Dhawan and Samantha.

The production is led by renowned creator duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (together known as Raj & DK), who are the showrunners and directors of the series. The screenplay is written by Sita R. Menon, along with Raj & DK. The duo’s “The Family Man” spy series, the second season of which starred Samantha, is a smash hit for Prime Video.

The series, set to premiere globally on Nov. 7, is produced by Raj & DK’s D2R Films, Amazon MGM Studios and the Russo brothers’ AGBO. Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot and Scott Nemes from AGBO, alongside David Weil, executive produce “Citadel: Honey Bunny” and all series within the global “Citadel” universe.

Set in the 1990s, the series follows stuntman Bunny (Dhawan) and struggling actress Honey (Samantha) as they become entangled in espionage. The cast includes Kay Kay Menon, Simran and Saqib Saleem.

“‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ is a significant project for us as it has given us the opportunity to be part of a larger, unprecedented world of spies and espionage that has never been done or even attempted before. We have created all our projects so far, but ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ is our first collaboration. And that it is with the creative forces like the Russo Brothers, as well as a host of talented filmmakers and creators around the world, has made this an amazingly valuable creative experience,” said Raj & DK.

Nikhil Madhok, head of originals at Prime Video India, said: “Raj & DK have added their signature quirk and charm to this high-octane spy thriller that promises to be a whole new thrilling ride for our audiences.”

“Bunny is unlike any role I’ve played before. As a spy, he not only leads a double life, but every aspect of his personality has two distinct sides, which was very exciting for me as an actor. Intricately woven into the storyline, his portrayal required me to draw on a blend of experiences and characters I’ve embodied over the years, as well as mentally and physically prepare for the grueling stunts and amped-up action scenes, making it one of my most challenging performances yet,” said Dhawan.

Samantha added: “The opportunity to be part of an action-packed entertainer with a gripping storyline, rich character depth and intense hand-to-hand combat and stunts that rival international standards, along with the prospect to play an integral role in this collection of connected spy stories, is what drew me to this project. The challenges and efforts required to bring Honey to life have left a profound impact on me, both professionally and personally, making it one of the most significant roles of my career.”

“Citadel: Honey Bunny” follows the success of the original “Citadel” series starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, which became Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the U.S. The franchise also includes an Italian series, “Citadel: Diana,” with more international versions planned.

Watch the trailer here: