Set in India and an integral part of the Citadel world, Citadel: Honey Bunny follows the dynamic, fascinating relationship between Honey (Samantha) and Bunny (Varun Dhawan). A formidable, magnetic couple, they take us on an adrenaline-pumping thrill ride as the gripping story of Citadel: Honey Bunny goes through numerous twists and turns.
Directors and writers Raj and DK describe the humble origins of their leading characters: “Both of them are at best ‘extras’. They feel like they’re part of the movie world, but they’re both background artists. Which is not so glamorous, but is a great starting point for the drama.”
“Bunny, aka Rahi, is a self-taught stuntman whose connection with Honey is through a love of movies. So Bunny represents that guy who is passionate about working on films and who loves his action and his stunts. Honey then accidentally enters the world of spies. After she meets [Rahi] on set, she soon realizes that he is in fact working for an agency and wants to become a part of something bigger.”
As the series unfolds, we are introduced to a progressive and independent woman in Honey. According to Raj and DK, “Honey aspires to become a fearless individual. This enables her to take on the role of the spy with a great deal of ease. She finds it really exciting. Danger is not something she shies away from.”
Samantha, who plays the titular character, describes her as someone who “draws inspiration from the courage and tenacity of women who defy conventional boundaries and take control of their lives. She personifies the belief of ‘survival of the fittest’ and takes decisive actions when necessary. Her journey, facing obstacles and making bold decisions, conveys a universal message of self-determination and fearlessness.
According to writer Sita R. Menon, with the character of Rahi Gambhir, “there is more than 23 what meets the eye. He is a stuntman, fearless, brave, and a good guy, but he is also an undercover agent who is fighting for the greater good.”
Raj and DK echo that in Bunny there is “a dichotomy.” They note that “despite his initial unwavering loyalty to his mentor, certain events and realizations lead him to question his beliefs and actions. This change in heart is carefully planted to reflect the complexities of loyalty, trust, and personal growth. Bunny’s journey from blind loyalty to self-awareness adds depth to his character and creates compelling narrative tension.”
The creatives behind Citadel: Honey Bunny describe the process of casting Honey and Bunny as inspiring. Sita explains, “We had a clear vision of who Honey and Bunny were and what traits they needed to embody. However, once Varun and Samantha came on board, we did tweak certain aspects of the characters to play to their strengths and unique qualities. Both actors brought their own nuances and depth to Honey and Bunny, which enriched the characters further. Their input and interpretation helped shape the final portrayal, making the characters even more dynamic and relatable.”
Raj and DK agree. “Honey and Bunny’s heartwarming story, which combines with pulse-pounding action, required versatile actors such as Varun and Samantha to bring the characters to life,” they say. “The performers’ versatility and on-screen chemistry added a layer of authenticity, capturing the essence of the complex relationship between the two characters, making them the perfect fit for this high-octane series.”
The directors applaud the work of their leading actors: “Apart from being multi-talented, dedicated, and ever-willing to approach the work with an open mind, Varun’s vivacious persona and Samantha’s beguiling allure deeply resonated with the characters we had conceived.”
Varun and Samantha underwent extensive training to prepare for their roles. This included physical conditioning, combat training, and learning specific skills relevant to their characters. Their dedication to the process ensured they could authentically portray the high-stakes action and emotional depth required for Honey and Bunny. The rigorous preparation enabled them to bring their characters to life with credibility and intensity.”
A third impressive performance, and the connecting piece between Honey Bunny and the first-to-launch American Citadel, can be found in Nadia Sinh, Honey and Bunny’s daughter. Along the way, the series recounts her gripping origin story.
Sita details how the character of Nadia was crucial to the genesis of this riveting series. “Honey’s intense efforts to teach Nadia to be self-sufficient were central to the story. From a very young age, she is treated as an adult, taught that emotions make you weak, taught all kinds of code words for survival and was given tough love. The central image in my mind was of a single mother raising a child who is intelligent and resilient beyond her years.”
Writing Nadia posed a particular challenge, as her adult self (played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas) has already been seen as a leading character in season one of Citadel.
Raj and DK explain, “What we did, then, was create a child and a set of conditions and environment for her to grow up to be the Nadia in the first-to-launch series. As a kid, Nadia has the makings of a spy.”
Exploring Nadia’s origin story through the colorful and complex lives of her parents was, according to Sita, “actually extremely symbiotic and very simple.” In the words of Bunny himself, Varun observes, “It’s commendable how both shows are seamlessly woven together.”
