Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu are set to star in Raj & DK’s upcoming web series Citadel: Honey Bunny. The teaser for the Indian version of the Amazon Prime series was unveiled on Thursday, accompanied by a press event. During the event, Varun discussed Samantha’s determination to continue filming the series despite her diagnosis of myositis.

‘Never seen a co-actor overcome such challenges and succeed’

Varun Dhawan spoke openly about Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s commitment to shooting Citadel despite her myositis diagnosis, an autoimmune disorder. He shared, “Honestly, my preparation was relatively easy compared to what Samantha was going through. It’s well-known what she faced when she joined the show. I initially thought my rehearsals were tough, but witnessing her remarkable work ethic despite her struggles truly inspired me.” 

He further mentioned that Samantha’s dedication while shooting against the odds inspired both him and the entire team. He said, “I’ve never experienced a shoot or creative process where a co-actor faced such significant challenges. Observing someone battling adversity and still succeeding teaches you a lot about human resilience and strength. Samantha inspired not just me, but also Raj, DK, Sita, and everyone at Amazon. Her commitment to this action show is truly motivating.”

‘I passed out and had a concussion while shooting for the series’

In March, Samantha discussed the challenges she faced while filming the series on her health podcast, Take 20. Speaking with her co-host and wellness coach, Alkesh Sharotri, she shared, “I had to complete Kushi (her Telugu film with Vijay Deverakonda) and shoot for Citadel, which is highly physical and involves a lot of action. It was extremely demanding.”

She further revealed that during the shoot, she experienced spasms and even passed out, requiring frequent assistance from Alkesh. “There were many calls to you (Alkesh) during the shoot—she’s having a spasm, she’s cramping. I passed out and ended up with a concussion,” she noted.

For context, Samantha had taken a break from work following her myositis diagnosis in 2022. The autoimmune condition necessitated a period of recovery and a slower pace.

Citadel: Honey Bunny is the Indian installment of the American web series Citadel, which was created by Josh Appelbaum, Bryan Oh, and David Weil. The series is executive produced by the Russo Brothers. The 2023 spy action thriller features Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden in the lead roles, with Sikandar Kher, Kay Kay Menon, Saqib Saleem, and Emma Canning also appearing. The series is set to premiere on November 7.