Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Pulp Fiction, where Tim Roth closed in for a tender moment with Amanda Plummer, fondly whispering “Honey Bunny,” the Indian filmmaking duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K., better known as Raj & DK, introduce us to Citadel: Honey Bunny. This Indian spy series, woven into the tapestry of the cinema-obsessed 1990s, captures an era where thrilling espionage takes precedence over diner stand-offs. Front and center in this fast-paced narrative are Bollywood’s very own Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, driving a storyline that bridges the American action-espionage series Citadel into an even richer multi-national narrative envisioned by the renowned Russo brothers. With this, Citadel blossoms into a vast universe spanning continents including India, Italy, and Mexico.
Raj & DK’s adaptation, while staying true to the name Honey Bunny, is distinctly shaded with their signature storytelling flair. The plot exudes an engaging absurdity as Bollywood stuntman Bunny, played by Varun Dhawan, ropes in the eager actress Honey, portrayed by Samantha, into a thrilling world of espionage. Years later, the story unfolds to depict the estranged couple as they reunite on a mission to protect their daughter Nadia, whom Priyanka Chopra Jonas embodies in the broader Citadel series. Here, audiences are treated to an intriguing weave of high-octane action and deep personal ties.
In a recent conversation with The Hindu, Raj & DK shared insights into balancing the Indian essence within Honey Bunny. The dialogue opened with Varun Dhawan discussing his nostalgic engagement with the 90s, supported by the craft of costume designer Ameira Punvani. Dhawan’s attire weaves references to iconic looks from Mel Gibson’s Lethal Weapon, alongside Bollywood giants like Sanjay Dutt’s aesthetic from Taaqatwar. “I have a fondness for the late 80s and 90s,” Dhawan expressed, “It was exhilarating to delve into that fashion and environment.”
Samantha Ruth Prabhu echoes the sentiment of exploration within the series, sharing how the directorial team pushed her to revisit and expand her emotional faculties. “They put me through an emotional wringer outside the script’s purview,” she laughs, revealing how these touches added depth to Honey’s trajectory, far beyond her initial struggles as an actress.
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Raj Nidimoru explained the journey of creating an authentic voice for their version of Citadel. “Throughout our career, we have resisted the often compelling pull to create sequels for large studios because our strength lies in originality.” The approach offered by Joe and Anthony Russo, therefore, came as a refreshing opportunity for them. “They gave us a wide canvas, allowing us to play within a structure without confining us,” Raj elaborated. This free reign allowed the duo to craft a setting uniquely raw, less about gadgets and futuristic thrills, and more about the thrilling espionage spirit of a past world.
Within this vividly created world, Dhawan relishes the depth given to his character, specifically highlighting a dramatic, emotionally charged scene with Samantha. “There’s a long scene between us that doesn’t rely on constant cutting and instead lets emotional truth breathe,” he remarks, emphasizing the importance of genuine performance immersion.
Equally challenging, Samantha describes a particularly complex “oner” – a single, unbroken shot sequence – which involves a gripping car fight. “Towards the end of shooting, I thought I’d mastered it all, but that car scene took nearly 40 attempts to perfect,” she admits, recounting the adrenaline-fueled moment.
In conclusion, both Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu reflect on Bollywood’s unique opportunity to localize global narratives, making them distinctively Indian. As Dhawan asserts, rooting storytelling in the cultural landscape can offer a fresh experience to global audiences. Meanwhile, Samantha highlights the need to mirror global narrations like Shogun that respect their cultural origins. Raj Nidimoru reinforces this idea by pointing out the lack of recognition internationally acclaimed Indian shows often face due to limited marketing and outreach. He remains optimistic, foreseeing a time when distinctly Indian series carve their niche on the global stage.
Published on October 23, 2024, at 6:08 PM IST, Citadel: Honey Bunny is poised to be an exhilarating chapter, drawing in audiences familiar with both Western and Eastern storytelling traditions.
