The Citadel cinematic universe continues to expand, and it’s just starting. Right after Citadel: Diana premiered, the Indian spin-off Citadel: Honey Bunny debuted on Prime Video with a Bollywood touch. Produced by the Russo Brothers’ independent studio AGBO, Honey Bunny adds to the developing Citadel agency’s storyline.
Citadel’s agents and bases exist globally, and spin-offs like Diana and Honey Bunny reveal the agency’s broader world by sharing unique, regionally inspired stories.
Set across two different years, 1992 and 2000, Citadel: Honey Bunny follows the story of Honey (played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu), a young actress drawn into espionage without realizing it’s a secret mission. Her friend Bunny (Varun Dhawan), a stuntman, involves her in undercover operations under the impression of an acting gig.
When Honey’s life is nearly lost during one of Bunny’s missions, she uncovers his secret job. But instead of pulling away, she persuades Bunny to let her join him, leading them into a world full of betrayals, secrets, and unexpected consequences.
Neither of them knows that one mission will affect their lives far into the future, impacting their future daughter Nadia Sinh, a character also seen in the original Citadel series played by Priyanka Chopra.
Though Citadel: Honey Bunny isn’t precisely an origin story for Nadia, it shows how her family becomes involved in the Citadel agency’s affairs. This spin-off reflects the theme of good versus evil, with both sides claiming to serve humanity yet still facing internal betrayals. The season finale brings together numerous betrayals, showing how loyalty and secrets complicate their world.
Honey and Bunny Reunite Eight Years Later
The show alternates between two timelines: 1992 and 2000. In 1992, Honey, a young woman with big acting dreams, is on the verge of giving up when her friend Bunny offers her what she believes is an acting job. Honey is unaware that Bunny and his associates, Ludo (Soham Majumdar) and Chacko (Shivankit Singh Parihar), are part of a secret group called the Foundation.
Honey’s “acting” role is really a cover for Bunny’s mission to retrieve a tracking device called the Armada. Though she nearly dies during the mission, Honey eventually learns about Bunny’s double life. Instead of backing out, she convinces Bunny to bring her into the Foundation, believing she’s finally found her true calling.
However, Honey soon begins questioning the motives of the Foundation’s founder, Baba (played by Kay Kay Menon). Her suspicions peak during Operation Belgrade, where she’s tasked with retrieving the Armada from a professor named Dr. Raghu.
Although Honey and Bunny complete the task, Baba orders Bunny to kill Dr. Raghu. This shocking order pushes Honey to defy Baba, leading her to expose his location to Citadel, the rival agency of the Foundation.
Branded a traitor, Honey reveals to Bunny that she’s pregnant and escapes with the Armada. Bunny tries to catch up, but Honey seems to die in a car accident. Baba’s arrest afterward causes Bunny to cut ties with the Foundation.
In 2000, Honey and her daughter Nadia live peacefully in Nainital until a group of men begins searching for them, endangering Nadia. Bunny, now residing in Bucharest, receives a message that Honey and her daughter are in danger, and he returns to India to find them.
It turns out that Baba, after his release, has ordered his men to track down Honey and retrieve the Armada. As Honey and Nadia go into hiding, Bunny reconnects with Chacko and Ludo to find Honey before it’s too late.
A Citadel Mole Works with Baba
Since Operation Belgrade, Bunny, Ludo, and Chacko believed they were on the right side by working for the Foundation. However, when Honey’s actions lead to Baba’s capture by Citadel, Bunny realizes things may be more complex. In fact, Baba once worked as an agent for Citadel.
Alongside Citadel’s India head, Zooni (Simran Bagga), and her late husband Rinzy, Baba had worked for Citadel before starting the Foundation. Rinzy and Baba were close friends who shared doubts about Citadel’s actions, but their differing ideas eventually led to a conflict with Citadel.
When Citadel discovered their growing distrust, it sent Rinzy and Baba on a mission meant to kill them. Rinzy was killed, while Baba survived, leaving Zooni to believe Baba was responsible.
In 2000, Ludo hacks Citadel’s database and discovers that Zooni is a mole secretly helping Baba. Her loyalty to Baba grows when she hears his side of the story, leading her to betray Citadel further. In 1999, she even released Baba from custody to help him carry out his plans against Citadel.
Baba, aiming to get the Armada, hopes to eliminate Citadel agents. He has also built connections with powerful figures worldwide, possibly laying the groundwork for Manticore, a shadowy organization. Honey eventually learns of Zooni’s betrayal and tells Citadel agent Shaan (Sikandar Kher), who then detains Zooni for her betrayal against Citadel.
Honey and Bunny Face an Ambush from KD’s Army
After Honey warns Shaan of Zooni’s actions, Bunny confronts Baba at the orphanage where Bunny grew up. However, instead of killing Baba, he destroys the Armada, eliminating Baba’s reason to harm Honey and Nadia. With his main mission now gone, Baba appears to have lost his purpose for supporting the Foundation.
But his other follower, KD (Saqib Saleem), is far more loyal and refuses to let go. By the time Bunny returns to Honey and Nadia, KD and his men prepare to ambush them.
Honey and Bunny split up to escape, with Bunny leading KD’s men away. Following an intense fight, KD admits he’s always been jealous of Bunny, whom Baba often favored. With an army closing in on Honey’s home, KD eventually lets Bunny go to protect her and Nadia. Honey and Nadia stay hidden but hear approaching cars as the screen fades to black, leaving viewers in suspense.
The ending leaves many questions open. Honey and Bunny were not the only targets; KD’s men also went after Chacko’s family and Ludo. The episode doesn’t clarify what will happen to Citadel India after Zooni’s arrest. Although Honey and Bunny are reunited, their relationship is not fully shown.
Lastly, since Nadia’s backstory plays a role in this spin-off, her connection to Citadel remains an open question. Season 1 has established a strong base for this series, and a second season would help to go deeper into these characters.
Conclusion
Citadel: Honey Bunny expands the Citadel universe with an engaging storyline that blends the thrills of espionage with the vibrancy of Bollywood, creating a unique global addition to the franchise.
By following Honey and Bunny’s journey from unsuspecting individuals to agents entangled in the intense world of covert operations, the show brings a personal angle to the otherwise vast, interconnected Citadel agency network.
This spin-off highlights how different agents from different parts of the world experience and contribute to the larger story, adding depth to the overarching Citadel lore.
Honey’s evolution from an aspiring actress to a resourceful agent committed to what she believes is a higher calling adds an emotional layer to the show. She willingly steps into a world she barely understands, driven by a mix of loyalty and ambition.
Her eventual disillusionment with the Foundation and the betrayal she orchestrates reflect her strong moral compass and the harsh reality of operating in an ethically ambiguous environment. Honey’s character emphasizes the complexities of loyalty, showing how trust is tested when the people she thought were allies reveal darker intentions.
Bunny, on the other hand, brings a sense of stability and dedication. He begins as Honey’s close friend, unknowingly drawing her into a life that changes them both. Bunny’s relationship with Honey, however, grows strained as betrayals and secrets surface.
This dynamic adds a layer of drama to the narrative, showing how friendships and partnerships are impacted in a world where trust is fragile. Bunny’s journey also reflects the price of loyalty, as he finds himself caught between his allegiance to the Foundation and his bond with Honey, eventually leading him to make difficult choices.
The show also successfully builds on the Citadel universe’s larger themes, such as the conflict between good and evil, and the question of which side truly serves humanity’s best interests.
Citadel: Honey Bunny highlights that neither the Foundation nor Citadel is free from flaws, showing that moral ambiguity runs through both agencies. This duality in the story gives viewers a thought-provoking perspective on the nature of heroism and villainy, as each side has its own moles, betrayals, and agendas.
The cliffhanger ending, with Honey, Bunny, and their allies facing an ambush, sets up a range of potential plot directions for future episodes.
The unanswered questions around Citadel India’s leadership after Zooni’s arrest, the fate of Honey and Bunny’s friends, and the future of Nadia Sinh leave the door open for the next season. This open-ended conclusion encourages curiosity, inviting viewers to continue following the story and discover how these threads will unfold.
Ultimately, Citadel: Honey Bunny has built a solid foundation for more seasons, balancing Bollywood’s dramatic storytelling style with the high-stakes action of an international spy thriller.
As the Citadel cinematic universe develops further, this spin-off demonstrates that the franchise has the potential to tell engaging stories from diverse cultural perspectives.
Season 1’s accomplishments lay the groundwork for an even more compelling Season 2, where fans can expect deeper character schemes, greater plot twists, and expanded insights into the global agency’s intricate world.
Citadel: Honey Bunny has successfully brought a new layer to the Citadel universe, proving that this cinematic world can seamlessly blend genres, cultures, and storytelling styles to create an engaging, globally resonant experience.
Citadel: Honey Bunny is now available for streaming on Prime Video.
