ACTOR Varun Dhawan credited directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK last Thursday (1) for giving him the opportunity to delve into a more complex character in the upcoming series Citadel: Honey Bunny.
Dhawan, who stars as Bunny opposite Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Honey, marks his streaming debut with this India chapter of Prime Video's global Citadel series, which originally starred Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden.
"Raj and DK are incredible directors. Working with them allowed me to explore a different side of myself, something I haven’t tapped into since Badlapur," Dhawan shared at the teaser launch event. "They pushed me out of my comfort zone to deliver a performance I'm really proud of. I'm glad I had the chance to work with them," he added.
Badlapur, the 2015 movie by Sriram Raghavan, saw the actor playing the role of a husband who becomes the monster he is chasing as he tries to avenge the death of his wife and child. The film was a major milestone in Dhawan's career.
Asked about his filmmaker father, David Dhawan, being concerned about how playing a dark character affected him, the actor said he has learned to switch off from his performances now.
"With my dad, it was just that he didn't like how my personality had become post Badlapur. He likes to see me in a certain way, always. But when this came about, and I've matured so much since then, he knows that I can handle all these things.
"He was talking as a parent, that's David Dhawan, the parent. But he was so excited that I was working with Raj and DK because he has loved their work in the past so much. So, he is more excited about it."
The actor also revealed that Raj and DK told him not to take up any other project while while he was shooting for Citadel: Honey Bunny.
"When you work with directors like Raj and DK, they are concerned whether you are starting another film or ad. When I went on board for it (show), they had strictly told me, 'If you're doing this, you cannot do another film or shoot ads because this is your look, you'll be only this'," Dhawan said.
Working on a long-format show was a creatively enriching experience for the Bollywood star as it gave him more time to be in the character.
"I enjoyed (it) a little more because I got to be in the character of Bunny for a longer period of time. When you get so much time, the arc of the character comes out better.
"Like, how in real life, you want people to understand you and not misunderstand you but the meeting time is so less that they misunderstand you. In this show, people will, hopefully, understand my character. There are moments that you can express well," he said.
As the makers unveiled the teaser of Citadel: Honey Bunny, Dhawan teased his fans saying there are a lot of interesting things in store but Raj and DK were being miserly in divulging details.
Dhawan said preparing for the action sequences was challenging but his co-star Ruth Prabhu, who was battling a health crisis while working on the show, inspired him to give his best. Ruth Prabhu was diagnosed with autoimmune condition myositis in 2022 and took a break from acting after the show.
Lauding the south star for her commitment and determination, Dhawan said she has inspired everyone on the show to give their best.
"My preparation for stunts was very easy compared to Samantha's because it's in the public knowledge what she was battling when she got on this show. I would think it's hard when I just started rehearsing, and I was like, 'Raj and DK, are making me do this'.
"But when I saw the work ethic this girl had and what she was battling, that really inspired me. I've never been on a shoot or a creative process where I'm seeing a co-actor go through something. You learn so much about human beings in general battling something and then winning."
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 AGBO, the production company run by the Russo Brothers’ -- directors Anthony and Joe Russo. (PTI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.