As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the iconic film Pulp Fiction, famed for Tim Roth’s unforgettable “Honey Bunny” scene with Amanda Plummer, the celebrated director duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K., famously known as Raj & DK, are set to unveil their latest creation, Citadel: Honey Bunny. This Indian spy series, saturated in the vibrant culture and cinematic nostalgia of the 1990s, stars Bollywood favorites Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It positions itself as a spin-off and prelude to the critically acclaimed American action-espionage series Citadel. This ambitious project is part of a global franchise expansion overseen by the renowned Russo brothers, spanning offshoots across India, Italy, and Mexico.
Audiences can anticipate a distinctly Raj & DK flavor, characterized by a thrillingly exaggerated plot: Varun Dhawan takes on the role of Bunny, a Bollywood stuntman who ropes in Honey, an aspiring actress played by Samantha, for a secret spy operation. As the narrative unfolds, the two protagonists, now an estranged couple, must reunite to ensure the safety of their young daughter, Nadia. In the overarching series, Priyanka Chopra Jonas portrays the adult version of Nadia.
The Hindu had the opportunity to catch up with the team behind this exciting series to explore how they infused the distinct essence of India into Citadel’s storyline.
Varun Dhawan shares his enthusiasm for the aesthetic journey of his character, Bunny. “Working with Raj & DK, along with our costume designer Ameira Punvani, was a creatively fulfilling experience,” he said. “They presented a mood board that showcased my wardrobe, featuring leather jackets, denims, high boots, and even high-waisted pants. In addition, I sport a retro mullet inspired by Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon and pay homage to Sanjay Dutt’s iconic look from films of that period. Being an admirer of the late 80s and 90s, I reveled in the opportunity to embody these stylistic nuances.”
Samantha Ruth Prabhu reflects on her role with humor, “I found myself revisiting my early career mistakes during filming, which wasn’t even scripted. It was just Raj & DK, along with series developer Sita R Menon, injecting some fun into the process. The development of Honey explores a spectrum of emotions, including more complex ones like sadness, anger, and angst. While the struggling actress segment is merely a portion of Honey’s narrative, I often treated it as my downtime amid the action sequences.
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Raj Nidimoru elaborates on the process of adapting Citadel for an Indian audience, “Throughout our careers, we’ve been approached to make sequels of popular films by various studios. However, we have always valued originality over setting into a pre-defined vision.” Speaking on working within the Russos’ franchise, he adds, “The American method of production generally dictates strict adherence to scripts. However, Joe and Anthony Russo allowed us extensive creative freedom. Besides core elements like Citadel and Manticore, the rest was open to reinterpretation, enabling us to craft a unique narrative backdrop that resonates with Indian audiences.”
In Citadel: Honey Bunny, Varun shares an emotionally charged scene with Samantha. He explained, “The scene involved no quick cuts, providing space for genuine conversation. My character recounts his history with a spymaster, portrayed by Kay Kay Menon, named Baba. It’s a lengthy, emotional piece that enhances the dramatic tension.”
Samantha recalls a particularly challenging action sequence, “The car sequence was a test of our coordination, matching every swerve perfectly. Despite completing many action scenes by then, this was deceptively complex. While Raj mentions we did 12 takes, I am convinced it was close to 40 for a 40-second shot!”
Discussing the importance of portraying a truly Indian show, Varun emphasizes, “Creating something deeply rooted in our culture will be our strength on the global stage.”
Samantha relates to the sentiment, “Like Shogun, set in feudal Japan, captured its cultural essence, we strive to offer a similar experience. Raj & DK’s strength lies in their independence from global trends, focusing instead on authenticity.”
Raj Nidimoru asserts the potential of Indian shows by saying, “Though there are exceptional Indian series, they often lack the international push required to become global hits. Once marketed globally, any of our shows could easily break through.”
With anticipation building ahead of its release, Citadel: Honey Bunny promises a blend of nostalgia and thrilling espionage uniquely crafted for Indian audiences. Published on October 23, 2024, this upcoming series stands poised to capture hearts worldwide, reaffirming the rich tradition of Hindi cinema.
