Mumbai, India—November 14, 2024— Prime Video has revealed that the Indian Original spy series Citadel: Honey Bunny, born from the world of Citadel, was the most watched series on Prime Video worldwide in its launch weekend. The Indian series directed by Raj & DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK) and starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha, has drawn in huge global audiences, streamed in 200 countries worldwide. The series was in the Top 10 in almost 150 countries, including US, UK, France, Italy, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and UAE, proving the trend that consumers are continuing to enjoy non-English language content. It was also Number 1 in the Prime Video charts in India and in over 30 countries worldwide on launch day.
“The success of Citadel: Honey Bunny shows that our non-English language International Originals continue to find fans globally through Prime Video’s huge worldwide audience,” said James Farrell, VP International Originals, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios.
“Citadel: Honey Bunny’s success is another example of Indian content increasingly being appreciated by audiences worldwide,” said Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video India. “It shows that local narratives can have universal appeal and engage customers across borders. The series has received an extremely positive response in India and we are thrilled that this action spy thriller is also the most watched series on Prime Video worldwide in its launch weekend.”
“It has been a very enriching experience on a challenging project that gave us the unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the biggest names in global entertainment and build on a larger connected world of spies which goes beyond the conventional storytelling formats,” said Raj & DK. “We have enjoyed weaving in easter eggs and nostalgic throwbacks to 90s’ cinema into the world of Honey Bunny. And we are thrilled at the amazing response both from our home turf and from around the world!”
“We continue to be immensely proud of our global partners on Citadel and the success of each installment in the series. DK and Raj’s Citadel: Honey Bunny is a truly fun, propulsive, and subversive spy show. Writer Sita Menon has crafted outstanding scripts that our talented leads, Samantha and Varun Dhawan, bring to life through shining performances, said Angela Russo-Otstot, Executive Producer and Chief Creative Officer, AGBO. “AGBO is honored to collaborate with such exceptional creatives, alongside Amazon and David Weil, in bringing this distinctive global series to audiences worldwide.”
Citadel: Honey Bunny is directed by Raj & DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK) and written by Sita R. Menon, along with Raj & DK. The series is produced by D2R Films, Amazon MGM Studios, and executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO. Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Scott Nemes from AGBO, alongside David Weil (Hunters), executive produce Citadel: Honey Bunny and all series within the world of Citadel. Midnight Radio is also an executive producer.
The first season of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, premiered to global success in 2023, becoming Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the US, and fourth most-watched worldwide, after 24 days. Executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO, Citadel and its subsequent action-espionage Original Series traverse the globe, evolving the story of spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore. Each series born from the world of Citadel stars top local talent and is created, produced and filmed in region—bringing about stylistically unique shows with strong cultural identities rooted in their respective country of origin. The Italian Original, Citadel: Diana, which launched on October 10, was the second series to debut from the world of Citadel and is followed by India’s series, Citadel: Honey Bunny, which launched on November 7. Since the launch of both series, customers continue to watch season 1 of Citadel, drawing in more audiences globally. Season Two of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, is in production, with Joe Russo serving as director.
Citadel: Honey Bunny joins Prime Video’s slate of International Originals debuting to record-breaking global success, including recent international hits; My Fault (‘Culpa Mía’), Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, and Like A Dragon: Yakuza, as well as upcoming launches, including Your Fault (‘Culpa Tuya’), The Sticky, and Look Back. The Indian Original series adds to Prime Video’s breadth of Indian-produced hits, such as Mirzapur, Farzi, The Family Man, and upcoming Season 2 of Paatal Lok, Season 4 of Panchayat and Matka King. As well as global Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Road House, Saltburn, and The Idea of You. This is all available with a Prime membership. Prime subscribers can enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership.