There’s no beating around the bush: Citadel has been somewhat of a train wreck up until now. Supposed to be a globally oriented, massive spy-action epic from the Russian brothers, the burden on the shoulders of Citadel was one in which a 300 million biscuit was poured for six episodes. Well, that set the bar very high for expectations. But instead of that high-octane thriller that they promised, this has been lacking. The original series starring Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden had all the right ingredients—big names, sleek action, and an interesting premise—but the execution fell flat.
Amazon Prime just announced several spinoffs to resurrect Citadel’s universe, and here’s where it gets interesting: Raj and DK stepping in as showrunners for the Indian edition, Citadel: Honey Bunny. If anyone can rescue this struggling franchise, it’s these two. Raj & DK have a fair and splendid track record with action-drama infused with humour wrapped in a distinct Indian flavour. They have already proven to be a brilliant range of work through The Family Man, which was an incredibly successful offering in India and was then also lauded worldwide for its wittiness in its storytelling and right balance through thrills and humour. These guys know how to rustle up thrilling action without losing sight of character development, something that has been a real problem for Citadel so far.
With Citadel: Honey Bunny, there lies both an opportunity and a challenge for Raj and DK to add the much-needed dimension the franchise required. Their mastery in Indian content might just be what the Citadel universe needs in an effort to bring it out of its rut. They have a knack for knowing the pulse of the Indian audience—how to sculpt intricate, relatable characters while still managing that perfect, zippy moment. They have also brushed upon some social activism under the heavy sheen of entertainment without being preachy, and this could provide freshness into the slightly glib narrative offered by the franchise so far.
Raj & DK are the best for world-building; they do not tell stories but create worlds that feel relegated and lived in, immersive and riveting. Citadel only needed such qualities right now.
The fans and the critics are respecting the cautious optimism around this one. Can Raj & DK save Citadel? Based on their earlier history, it almost sounds like a question of when, and not if. If their spin-off realizes its potential, it might just save the Citadel franchise altogether and give it the capacity to finally stand tall on the global scene.
Similar things have happened with Heeramandi. The dazzling Netflix series started out with mixed reactions before it turned out to be a global phenomenon. The story is set against the backdrop of the red-light district of Lahore, during the Indian independence movement, which came in for its fair share of criticism earlier for its grand soap opera treatment. It was only after some time that Bhansali’s storytelling through visuals and world-building began to appreciate with the audience, although the eight-part series was not only feasting the eyes but turned into a cultural conversation point, especially in terms of its multi-faceted characters and rich history. At last, Heeramandi received widespread acclaim for a second season and accumulated a big enough fan following, among other awards.
If Raj and DK captivate the viewer the way Bhansali does, then Citadel: Honey Bunny will see an extraordinary turnaround, with a makeover fit for Heeramandi.
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
