Samantha Ruth Prabhu to star in Indian version of ‘Citadel’ opposite Varun Dhawan

New Delhi: Prime Video on Wednesday confirmed that prolific actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu will be starring alongside Varun Dhawan in the Indian instalment of the ‘Citadel’ universe, the global-event series from Prime Video and the Russo Brothers’ AGBO.

The untitled Citadel series based out of India is being helmed by renowned creator duo Raj & DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK), who are the showrunners and directors. The local instalment is written by Sita R Menon, along with Raj & DK. The streaming service also confirmed that the production is currently underway in Mumbai.

After this, the unit will head to North India and then onwards to international locales like Serbia and South Africa.

As previously announced, Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas will star in the first-to-launch series within the Citadel universe, which comes from the Russo Brothers’ AGBO along with David Weil and is set to premiere in 2023.

Alongside Madden and Priyanka, the first-to-launch Citadel series will also feature Stanley Tucci. Additional local-language Citadel productions are also in the works, including an Italian Original series starring Matilda De Angelis.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Samantha once again. She made her streaming debut with The Family Man Season Two, on Prime Video, and is one of the most talented artistes in the industry today. We can’t wait for audiences to see her on screen in a brand new avatar, along with Varun and the incredibly talented ensemble cast we have on board for this series,” said Aparna Purohit, head of India Originals, Prime Video.

“The canvas for the Indian installment of Citadel is larger than life but the treatment and texture is retro, rooted, and quirky. The series is being shot extensively across India and international locales. With Raj & DK steering this ship and a terrifically talented cast, we are confident that the series is going to be nothing short of a spectacle,” added Purohit.

“We are elated to work with Samantha once again after The Family Man. Once we had the script down on paper, she was an obvious choice for this character. We couldn’t be happier to have her on board,” said creator duo Raj & DK.

“We are thrilled to have started production on Citadel India. The first leg is being shot in India, before we move onwards to Serbia and South Africa. We have an amazing crew and a tremendously talented cast, which makes the creative process all the more exciting,” they added.

“When Prime Video and Raj & DK approached me with this project, I decided to take it up in a heartbeat! After working with this team on The Family Man, it is homecoming for me,” said Samantha.

“The Citadel universe, the interconnected storylines between the productions across the globe, and most importantly, the script of the Indian installment really excited me. I am thrilled to be a part of this brilliant universe conceptualised by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO. I am also looking forward to be working with Varun for the first time, on this project. He is someone who is full of life and cheer when you’re around him,” she added.

Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK will also serve as executive producers, under their banner D2R Films. The series is produced by D2R Films and Amazon Studios, with AGBO’s Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Angela Russo-Otstot, Scott Nemes, and David Weil overseeing production on the Indian Original and all series within the global Citadel universe.

Josh Applebaum, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Scott Rosenberg serve as executive producers for Midnight Radio, on the untitled Indian Original and all series within the global Citadel universe. (UNI)