Samantha-Varun will add a desi tadka to Citadel, a new look will be seen

Honey Bunny, Raj and DK leave their mark on the Russo Brothers' Citadel universe, featuring a stellar performance by Samantha Ruth Prabhu. This Indian chapter is more than just an action-packed thriller. It has a strong emotional core built around the two lead characters - Bunny (Varun Dhawan), a stuntman-cum-spy, who recruits struggling actress Honey (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) into the team as an agent. Ludo (Soham Majumdar), a techie, and Bunny's childhood friend Chako (Shivankit Parihar) complete the team.

The story revolves around agencies 

Expanding the Citadel universe created by Josh Appelbaum, Brian Oh, and David Weil, starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden, Honey Bunny, set between 1992 and 2000, is a uniquely Indian take on espionage. The story revolves around various agencies vying for a powerful device called Armada, one of these factions is led by Guru aka Vishwa, played so effortlessly by Kay Kay Menon that he is a dangerous man, on the other hand, Zooni (Simran) represents the Mumbai branch of Citadel, a global espionage agency, which also keeps an eye on Armada.

Bunny and Honey's mission initially seems straightforward - saving the Armada from falling into the wrong hands - but it soon turns into a complicated quest filled with deception, betrayal, and shifting loyalties. A mission in Belgrade in 1992 uncovers some secrets, after which Honey goes into hiding and surfaces in Nainital eight years later. Her only agenda is to keep her daughter Nadia (Kashvi Majmundar) safe - remember Priyanka Chopra Jonas' character in the OG Citadel is named Nadia? - because Vishwa's hitman Kedar (Saqib Saleem) is after her. It's no harm in guessing, Bunny is in a race against time to reunite with Honey and save her from Kedar.

The chemistry is awesome 

While Priyanka Chopra-starrer Citadel faced criticism for its weak storyline and character development, Citadel: Honey Bunny has Raj and DK and their frequent collaborator Sita Menon creating a six-episode story arc that blends action and family drama with a light touch reminiscent of their work on The Family Man. The story structure keeps you guessing, switching between Bunny and Honey's past and present as it explores their complicated relationships and hidden loyalties. Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu's chemistry is one of the show's biggest strengths.

 As a secret agent and a mother, Samantha stands on her own feet, while also being consumed by anxiety for her and her daughter's safety. Varun strikes a balance between his past and present, both in terms of looks and characterization. But the scene-stealer of the show is little Kashvi Majmundar, who plays the school-going, smart, and fearless Nadia with such ease that her age is unmistakable. Raj and DK's reconstruction of the 1990s is spot-on, with retro technology like pagers, bulky computers, weapons, and Bollywood songs from that era. While the action scenes in Citadel: Honey Bunny are not as glossy as Hollywood blockbusters, the fight choreography feels fresh and raw, relying on well-coordinated hand-to-hand combat.

Slow growing story

Honey Bunny moves at a slow pace. The first three episodes go into the world-building and the complex relationships between the characters. Once the story picks up pace, it is a pure roller coaster with Bunny and Honey keeping you hooked. If there is a flaw, it is in the show's reluctance to fully commit to the tension and stakes of the spy genre. The story sometimes backs off when it reaches a climax, relying on humor or romance to ease the tension. This can lead to less suspense, though it is in line with Raj and DK's distinctive style of blending drama with levity.