How Citadel: Honey Bunny Connects to the Franchise

by

Quick Links

  • What Is the Original Citadel About?
  • What Is Citadel: Honey Bunny About?

As a binge-watching aficionado who has spent countless hours immersed in various TV shows and movies, I must say that “Citadel: Honey Bunny” stands out as one of the most compelling origin stories I’ve come across recently. The way the creators have intertwined this spinoff with the original series is nothing short of brilliant.

On November 6, 2024, “Citadel: Honey Bunny” will make its debut on Prime Video, marking it as the second spin-off and third series within the franchise. This action-packed espionage thriller follows Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan as they portray Honey and Bunny, two secret agents who are called upon for international assignments in the 1990s and 2000s. As they journey around the world and accomplish different missions, Honey and Bunny develop a deep affection for each other and have a daughter whose safety becomes their top priority.

Viewers of the six-part spin-off of the spy series might recognize some familiar names and faces as the story progresses. Contrary to being a standalone, unrelated spin-off, “Honey Bunny” shares direct links with the original “Citadel” series, featuring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden. Although the narrative unfolds in reverse order, viewers should watch “Honey Bunny” to fully grasp the dramatic backstory of the entire “Citadel “series.

The Original Citadel Sets the Stage

To fully understand the character of Honey Bunny, we need to start with the context provided by the global espionage series, Citadel, which premiered on Prime Video in April 2023. The Russo brothers created this intriguing show, where Nadia Sinh (played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas) and Mason Kane (Richard Madden) are partners working for a fictional spy agency named Citadel. However, when the enemy organization, Manticore, erases the memories of all Citadel agents by destroying the agency, the employees are left to uncover their true identities.

Apart from sharing a professional bond, Nadia and Mason also share the role of parents to their daughter Asha (Serafina Tarafdar). Under the guidance of questionable superiors Bernard Orlick, portrayed by Stanley Tucci, and Dahlia, played by Lesley Manville, their memories are wiped and they receive new identities. Following this memory loss, Nadia transforms into a restaurateur named Charlotte Vernon, while Mason assumes the role of a father and husband known as Kyle Conroy.

Since its beginning, the series “Citadel” was planned as a global spy thriller with several offshoots in different countries. In 2023, the original “Citadel” premiered, followed by a spin-off titled “Citadel: Diana,” set in Italy and launched on Amazon Prime Video in October 2024. Interestingly, “Honey Bunny” shares stronger narrative connections with the initial series, which viewers might recall during a dialogue between Nadia and Asha.

Citadel: Honey Bunny Takes Us Back in Time

Under the guidance of directors Raj and DK, Honey Bunny is a Hindi-language spinoff of Citadel, taking place from 1992 to 2000 in India. The narrative revolves around Rahi “Bunny” Gambhir (played by Verun Dhawan), a Bollywood stuntman who secretly works as an undercover agent for a man known as Guru, or Baba (portrayed by Kay Kay Menon). In the story, Bunny encounters and develops feelings for a struggling actress named Hanimandakini “Honey” Raj (played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu).

Before Bunny assigns Honey the role of a spy, they are apprehended by opposing Citadel operatives, commanded by Shaan (Sikander Kher) and Zooni (Simran Bagga). A confrontation occurs where Honey is wounded severely, causing Bunny to reveal his clandestine identity as a secret agent. As their bond deepens, they fall in love, and Honey decides to join Bunny’s covert team. Later on, the duo embarks on a mission in Belgrade to find an advanced device called “Armada,” during which Honey discovers she is expecting a child.

As a devoted follower of the Armada saga, I was set to take down Raghu, the mastermind behind it all. However, upon discovering his innocence and the truth about his framing, I reluctantly chose to step back from my mission. To ensure Raghu’s safety, I betray Baba by revealing his whereabouts, leading to his arrest. In a heart-wrenching twist, I inform Bunny that I am expecting our child, only for us to plan an escape moments later. Tragically, it seems Honey met her end in a car explosion and was left for dead, leaving Bunny devastated and believing we had perished. Fast forward eight years, and the connection between the original Citadel is finally unveiled, reuniting viewers with Honey and Bunny once more.

How Honey Bunny Connects to Citadel

Jumping ahead to the year 2000, it’s disclosed that Honey miraculously survived the car bomb blast that was thought to have ended her life. Not only did she survive, but she went on to deliver a healthy child named Nadia Sinh. As it turns out, Nadia Sinh is the main character from the initial Citadel, implying Honey Bunny serves as a prequel. In the original Citadel, Nadia spoke about her father to her daughter, calling him Rahi, also known as Bunny.

In the movie “Citadel”, Paul Bazely portrays an older version of the character Rahi (Bunny), while Varun Dhawan plays the younger incarnation in the prequel storyline. The series unfolds to reveal that Honey and Bunny are Nadia’s parents, and it illustrates how their sacrifices and professional background shape her destiny. As the series advances to 2000, Honey resides in India, raising Nadia, while Bunny relinquishes his espionage career for a musical one in Romania. Upon discovering that his lover and child are safe, Bunny makes every effort to locate and safeguard them before the Citadel agents cause them harm.

In the Prime Video Original show, Honey and Bunny ultimately reconnect in bustling Mumbai, only to be confronted by agents from Citadel. The connection between Citadel and its spin-off, Honey Bunny, allows Nadia Sinh to uphold her parents’ fearless legacy by continuing their narrative. On the other hand, Citadel: Diana can be enjoyed as a separate entity, whereas Honey Bunny serves as an engaging prequel that seamlessly ties into the main series.

Citadel: Honey Bunny is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Read More

2024-11-13 01:32