I must admit, I haven't watched the American series Citadel yet. Not even the trailer. I'm not sure why. All I know is that the child actor in this one, Honey and Bunny's daughter, is portraying the childhood of Priyanka Chopra's character in the original spy series.

Watching Citadel: Honey Bunny, a spy action thriller directed by Raj & DK, who have a diverse portfolio including The Family Man, Guns and Gulaabs, and Go Goa Gone, leaves me with a sense that this particular series could benefit from tighter editing and a faster pace. The plot, however, does manage to hold your attention; the story unraveled in the first two episodes keeps you engaged. The action shifts from 1992 to 2000, from Mumbai to Nainital, and briefly to Bucharest. Honey (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) and Bunny (Varun Dhawan), the titular protagonists, find themselves entangled in a complex twist of fate, becoming part of a spy organization whose allegiance is uncertain. So far, so good, but the lack of chemistry between the pair and Dhawan's repetitive macho romantic act start to dull the show's shine.

Let's rewind to the beginning of the first episode. Honey has been kidnapped and is being driven in the back of a vehicle, mirroring a scene from Netflix's Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen. In both scenarios, you realize these are not women who can be easily subdued. Ruth Prabhu delivers a convincing performance, portraying a strict yet loving mother and Dhawan's spy-in-training and love interest.

The plot, in brief: Rahi “Bunny” Gambhir leads a double life—stunt double by day, secret agent by night. Alongside his loyal team, Chacko and Ludo, his world is turned upside down when he meets Honey Raj, a struggling actress with royal lineage. Their romance deepens as she joins his dangerous missions, but chaos ensues when Citadel agents ambush them, leaving Honey wounded. Bunny reveals his spy life to her, and together, they fall in love and become partners in espionage. Years later, Honey is in hiding with their daughter, Nadia, while Bunny, now a singer in Bucharest, learns they're alive. Reuniting with Chacko, he races to protect his family as danger looms over his past love and child. Meanwhile, Honey seeks refuge elsewhere, setting the stage for a showdown.

What bothers me is that, unlike other Raj & DK works, which usually feature a societal underdog to root for, Honey and Bunny seem to be doing quite well for themselves, considering they are spies. They appear 'almost too good'; they don't seem to have faults and excel at everything they undertake, from daredevil stunts for him to shooting cans from a distance for her.

The use of an orange-ish light indoors in both timelines adds a unique shade, creating a sense of suspense or tightness, which it successfully achieves. As spy thrillers go, this one tries to be original, though with a few copycat moves. One highlight is Kashvi Majmundar as Nadia, the daughter. She plays the role naturally, making the child's smart moves seem almost spy-like. Her mother did train her from an early age. As debuts go, this one shows someone who thrives in front of the camera but doesn't acknowledge its presence.

Dark humor also comes into play, such as when it relates to showing Bunny's sleeping, snoring spouse, which the director duo handles well. However, the serious business of saving the world keeps interrupting. By the end of the second episode, the show is set up for a showdown between good and bad, or maybe good and good, or bad and bad. Who knows, it's a world no longer black and white. The shades of grey have started to sweep in; it's a place where billionaires are the new gurus, always running the show from the shadows.

The character who could unravel some surprises seems to be Guru aka Vishwa or Baba, as Bunny calls him, played by the inimitable Kay Kay Menon, who until now seems to be sleepwalking through his not-so-challenging role. It remains to be seen whether he delivers one of his standout performances.

Overall, it's a good watch, something to go back to on and off while watching something else. The non-linear timeline tries its best to hold your attention and time, jumping from 1992 to 2000, from Mumbai's tough streets to Nainital's winding roads. But it ends up being something to watch on and off. Whether this is a positive or the nature of things in these times remains to be seen. We are being fed series after series of things that can just run in the background, something that is just nothing after a short while. No enduring stories, no love for the craft, no legacy to create.

Speaking of legacy, Citadel: Honey Bunny nods at one of Saeed Mirza's cult classics Albert Pinto ko gussa kyun aata hai? Now that had an underdog we were all rooting for.

Watch Citadel: Honey Bunny on Amazon Prime Video.

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