Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Russo brothers back Indian Citadel spin with a 90s twist

The Indian series, titled ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’, follows the Italian series ‘Citadel: Diana’

Russo brothers back Indian Citadel spin with a 90s twist

DIRECTOR Raj Nidimoru revealed last Thursday (1) that filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo were very receptive to their unique vision for the Indian adaptation of Citadel, which is set in the 90s.

The Indian series, titled Citadel: Honey Bunny, follows the Italian series Citadel: Diana, premiering on October 10, as part of the larger Citadel universe. The original Citadel series, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, was released in 2023.


"It was like a big conference room where we had episodes laid out and they actually did their reading. They were very gracious, extremely collaborative and free. "When we told (them about) our idea, it was off from what they were doing. In our pitch, there was a bit more cinema. There are cinematic elements throughout. I thought they would stick to what they had in mind but they were very cool with our idea, they asked us to stick to our vision," the filmmaker told reporters here at the teaser launch of the show.

"When we finished the reading we were texting each other, ‘there are so many great minds sitting here together,’ and at the end of it, we said, ‘Actually we are also not so bad.’ but we have only 10% of their resources," Nidimoru added.

DK added the Indian and international versions of Citadel are starkly different in terms of their scale and look.

“We saw their gadgets and everything and we were like thank god we set ours in a different time period, a different era.

"Our gadgets are not going to be as fancy as theirs are in the future. When you see the rest of the show and the trailer you'll understand," he said, describing the show, whose teaser is set to the tunes of 80s hit song Raat Baaqi, Baat Baaqi... from Namak Halaal.

Nidimoru said they instantly agreed to come on board when they got to know they would be collaborating with the Russo Brothers, known for Avengers: End Game.

"This is the first time we are doing a collab with anybody. Otherwise, we've been fiercely independent filmmakers. The three (him, DK and Sita Menon) of us started from 99 and here we are. We write, direct and produce most of our stuff.

"That's what we believe in doing. We can't do something someone forces us to do. That's the freedom we enjoy as filmmakers and we are glad we stuck to that. But we were very excited when we were offered to direct Citadel India," he said.

Nidomoru said both Dhawan and Ruth Prabhu performed their own stunts.

"We've done this before (shooting a long one take action scene) and it is a very choreographed one take. But this time we had really good action, a hidden action talent in both of them that we actually put them on the line of fire.

"There were no stunt doubles. They had to do it all by themselves so that was the challenge this time and they were up for it," Nidimoru said, adding, it was great to work with "enthusiastic" actors like Dhawan and Ruth Prabhu on the show.

Ruth Prabhu said doing the action sequences with Dhawan felt like filming a "romantic song".

"Varun has been too kind, it was a partnership when we would do action it really felt like a dance. Action felt like a romantic song because it had so much sync and we never had that kind of sync," she said.

"I never felt that kind of chemistry with anyone and I believe it shows because that action sequence is really special. I should not say that myself but just making it was absolutely beautiful," she added.

Ruth Prabhu, who had teamed up with Raj & DK for The Family Man season two, said she is hoping the audience will also love Citadel: Honey Bunny.

"The Family Man might have given us luck. I don’t know I will wait for the audience to give their verdict on this one but I really hope that I pass with flying colours. I feel action is a genre I'm completely interested in and I would like to do more. I really hope they give their blessings for this."

Citadel: Honey Bunny is set to release on November 7 on Prime Video.

The series is produced by D2R Films, Amazon MGM Studios, and executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO. (PTI) 

More For You

25 reasons why 2025 will be an unforgettable year for south Asian entertainment
Songs of the Bulbul

25 reasons why 2025 will be an unforgettable year for south Asian entertainment

Eastern Eye

THIS year promises to be packed with popular entertainment, exciting surprises, unforgettable live events, top south Asian talents making their mark, and major celebrities delighting their devoted fans.

From celebrations of south Asian culture and promising newcomers to comeback stories, major films, engaging TV, captivating stage performances, remarkable music releases, and inevitable controversies, 2025 is shaping up to be a vibrant year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vikramaditya Motwane Black Warrant

Vikramaditya Motwane

Vikramaditya Motwane on 'Black Warrant': ‘There’s an intrigue about what happens in a prison’

FILMMAKER Vikramaditya Motwane, whose new Netflix series tells the story of a former superintendent of one of India’s most prominent jails, said it was a chance for him to explore a “tough and complicated” world.

Black Warrant has been adapted from the book Black Warrant: Confessions Of A Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta, a former superintendent of Tihar, and journalist Sunetra Choudhury

Keep ReadingShow less
The-Brutalist-Getty

The Brutalist won Best Drama Film, with Adrien Brody named Best Actor and Brady Corbet awarded Best Director. (Photo: Getty Images)

'The Brutalist' and 'Emilia Perez' lead Golden Globe wins

AT THE 82nd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, The Brutalist, the story of a Holocaust survivor chasing the American dream, and Emilia Perez, a musical thriller about a Mexican drug lord transitioning to a woman, won the top awards of the evening.

The Brutalist took home the Golden Globe for Best Drama Film, with Adrien Brody earning Best Actor in a Drama for his portrayal of an architect trying to build a life in the United States. The film also claimed the Best Director award for Brady Corbet.

Keep ReadingShow less
Neil-Young-Getty

Young last performed at Glastonbury in 2009. (Photo: Getty Images)

Neil Young confirms Glastonbury performance after initial withdrawal

FOLK musician Neil Young has reversed his earlier decision to pull out of the Glastonbury music festival and will now headline the event, he announced alongside festival organisers on Friday.

Young had initially withdrawn from the festival, citing concerns over its "corporate control" through its association with the BBC. However, he later clarified that the decision was based on "an error in the information I received."

Keep ReadingShow less
25 years of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai: A to Z of the Bollywood blockbuster

Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel in 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai'

25 years of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai: A to Z of the Bollywood blockbuster

WHEN Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai was released on January 14, 2000, it became a surprise hit and the first Bollywood blockbuster of the new millennium. As the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, it catapulted Hrithik Roshan to overnight superstardom. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, this romantic drama achieved numerous milestones, including breaking records for awards, redefining the Hindi film hero, and influencing popular culture.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this iconic film, Eastern Eye presents an A to Z guide covering its unforgettable moments, behind-the-scenes stories, and lasting legacy.

Keep ReadingShow less