In an interview, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan opened up about his co-star Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s struggle with her health while filming Citadel: Honey Bunny. The series, directed by Raj & DK, is an Indian adaptation of the Citadel series, created by the Russo Brothers. Samantha’s battle with myositis, a rare autoimmune condition, led to intense moments on set, with Varun Dhawan revealing he even called for a “pack up” during one particularly alarming incident.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Battle with Myositis
Myositis, the autoimmune condition Samantha has been diagnosed with, affects muscle strength, causing fatigue and pain. In the past, Samantha has openly discussed the challenges her condition has brought to her life, with symptoms like muscle weakness and fatigue affecting her daily routine. When Samantha signed onto Citadel: Honey Bunny, she was aware that the physical demands would push her limits, but her resilience kept her going.
Varun Dhawan on the Heart-Stopping Moments
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Varun Dhawan detailed two major incidents on set that left him deeply concerned for Samantha’s health. The first instance took place when Samantha had to pause shooting to take oxygen, revealing just how taxing the day had been on her.
“One of Those Days”: The Oxygen Tank Incident
“We were shooting, and she just shut her eyes and said, ‘It’s just one of those days,’” Varun recalled. Despite feeling unwell, Samantha insisted on continuing the shoot. Varun was taken aback when, after a couple of hours, Samantha needed an oxygen tank on set.
Despite her struggles, Varun praised Samantha for her unwavering commitment to the project, highlighting that she could have taken the day off, but instead, she persevered.
The Collapse at the Railway Station
The second incident, which happened while filming in Serbia, was even more alarming. Samantha had a scene requiring her to run after Varun at a railway station, but in the middle of the take, she collapsed.
“I caught her, and I immediately went to Raj and said, ‘Pack up,’” Varun said. The director assured Varun that Samantha would be fine, but the actor admitted that he was rattled by the incident, unsure how to react.
Samantha’s Reluctance to Take On the Role
Before production began, Samantha admitted she wasn’t sure if she could commit to the role after her myositis diagnosis. In an interview with Galatta India, she revealed she had even asked the directors to replace her with another actress.
“I begged them to move on because I really didn’t think I could do it… I sent other recommendations: ‘Look at this heroine; she is so amazing… I beg you, I can’t do this.’”
However, Raj & DK encouraged her to stay on, believing in her talent and determination. Eventually, Samantha took on the role, despite her initial reluctance.
Varun Dhawan’s Admiration for Samantha’s Resilience
After witnessing Samantha’s struggles firsthand, Varun has nothing but admiration for her. He described her as an inspiration, noting that her determination made his own challenges seem minor in comparison. Her strength and dedication to her work left a lasting impression on Varun, who described working with her as a moving experience.
The Making of Citadel: Honey Bunny
Citadel: Honey Bunny is the Indian chapter of the larger Citadel spy thriller series. The original series, starring Priyanka Chopra and produced by the Russo Brothers, has been adapted into a new setting with an Indian twist. The show is set in the 1990s, featuring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu as leads. The high-action series requires intense physicality, which made Samantha’s participation even more challenging yet commendable.
Conclusion
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s journey on the set of Citadel: Honey Bunny highlights her resilience and dedication to her craft. Despite her health struggles, Samantha honored her commitment to the show and completed her scenes. Her courage and determination serve as an inspiration to many, including her co-star Varun Dhawan, who lauded her bravery and strength. Citadel: Honey Bunny is now streaming on Prime Video India, capturing the grit and passion of the actors involved, especially Samantha, who defied all odds to bring her character to life.