Samantha’s Citadel Honey Bunny Web Series Review & rating

Release Date: November 07, 2024
Rating: 2.75/5
Starring: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Varun Dhawan, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon, Simran, Sakhid Salim, Soham Majmundar, and others
Directors: Raj & DK, Sita R. Menon
Producers: Syed Zaid Ali, Alec Konik, Raj & DK, and others
Music Directors: Sachin-Jigar, Aman Pant

The highly anticipated spy action thriller web series, Citadel: Honey Bunny, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Starring Samantha and Varun Dhawan in lead roles, the series generated considerable buzz among fans. Here’s how this Raj & DK-directed series measures up.

Story:
Set in the year 2000, Honeymandakini, also known as Honey (Samantha), realizes she’s surrounded by danger due to her past. Her primary goal is to protect her daughter, Nadia (Kashvi Majmundar). Pursued by Baba (Kay Kay Menon) and his gang, Honey also becomes a target for Rahi Gambhir, aka Bunny (Varun Dhawan). Who is Honey? Why is Baba’s gang after her? What is Bunny’s connection to her? And will she be able to survive the threats around her? The answers unfold over the course of the series.

Plus Points:
Samantha, already popular for her role in The Family Man Season 2, impresses once again in Citadel: Honey Bunny. She effectively portrays a mother determined to protect her daughter and brings a compelling presence to her role as a spy. Varun Dhawan also performs well, adding entertainment and excitement to the series alongside Samantha.

Kashvi Majmundar, who plays Samantha’s daughter, delivers a remarkable performance, and her scenes with Samantha are especially impactful. Kay Kay Menon, Sakhid Saleem, Soham Majmundar, and others also deliver noteworthy performances. The single-shot climax action sequence stands out as a series highlight, with impressive visuals enhancing the experience.

Minus Points:
Despite its strong cast, Citadel: Honey Bunny lacks an engaging story. The script by Raj & DK and Sita R. Menon falls short of expectations, with weak dialogue and a lack of exciting twists. The narrative shifts between 1992 and 2000, disrupting the series’ flow, and missing the depth fans expect from Raj & DK’s storytelling.

As a spy thriller and a sequel to the international Citadel, this Indian version struggles to create suspense or tension. Kay Kay Menon’s character design is underwhelming, and Simran’s role feels underutilized. Even the action sequences lack the intensity to thrill viewers, and compared to the international Citadel, this adaptation falls short in delivering excitement.

Technical Department:
Raj & DK, along with Sita R. Menon, were unable to infuse the series with the action and thrill expected from a spy thriller. Cinematographer Johan Hurlin’s work is commendable, with strong production values successfully capturing the 90s atmosphere. However, the music fails to impress, and the editing could have been sharper.

Verdict:
Overall, Citadel: Honey Bunny falls short of expectations. While Samantha and Varun Dhawan deliver strong performances, the lack of thrilling action and story depth undermines the series. Though a few scenes are notable, the absence of engaging elements may leave fans disappointed. Samantha’s fans may appreciate her role, but thriller enthusiasts might find it lacking.