Citadel Review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Hollywood’s new action star has arrived

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By Shweta Parande

Citadel, the science-fiction spy series toplined by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden, releases on Amazon Prime Video worldwide on April 28, 2023. The Asia premiere of Citadel was held in Mumbai early in April, and we got to see the first two episodes of the thriller series in the exclusive screening. Here’s our review of Citadel.

Priyanka Chopra’s journey to Citadel

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is now a global star. Having transitioned into acting from being a Miss World, she did exceptionally well in Hindi cinema or Bollywood. Just when her detractors thought what more could she achieve, Priyanka tried her hand at music on international shores. And before we knew it, she was the darling of the showbiz fans and the media internationally, and soon landed the lead role in television series Quantico. Hollywood movies followed and today she is a huge star there – an actress, producer, author, singer, wife and mom.

PriyankaChopra is now settled in the United States with husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. Citadel is one of her many upcoming exciting projects.

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Citadel Plot

Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) and Mason Kane (Richard Madden) are former spies of a fallen international spy agency called Citadel. But neither of them remembers who they are, as their memory has been “erased”.

Slowly, Nadia and Mason are getting flashes of their work as spies, and of their possible relationship. These Citadel agents now have to fight unknown and new enemies like Manticore, even when the two agents cannot recollect who they are.

Nadia and Mason have to try and remember what their life was eight years ago, before their memory loss, in order to defend themselves and also help revive the Citadel network.

Citadel colleague Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci) is aiding the two to recover their memory and help save Citadel. He is also helping to save them from the many detractors who are also aware of the presence of Nadia and Mason, who were thought to be dead or missing in action. Watch Citadel to know what happens next.

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Priyanka Chopra in Citadel

In Citadel, the lady has upped her Quantico game! She looks gorgeous, fit, and does some fabulous action stunts. Acting wise, we know Priyanka is too good for Citadel. We in India have seen her do Barfi! (2012) and Bajirao Mastani (2015), and so many more excellent films where she displayed her best acting chops. Her intensity comes across really well and she is the woman in-charge.

Hot chemistry of Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden in Citadel

The hot new onscreen pair’s chemistry is hotter! Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden really look good together in Citadel, and so far, their scenes together have only intrigued us. The action scenes made us hoot!

Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden – contenders to play Bond?

Both actors are stylish, smart, and world-class spies in the web series. After Citadel, both Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden could be contenders to play the next Bond! Considering there has already been a female 007 in Lashana Lynch, Priyanka does have a chance, doesn’t she?

When will Citadel release and where?

Citadel premieres on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, April 28, worldwide. It will be released with the first two episodes. Later, a new episode will be released every week on Friday until the last episode of Citadel on May 26, 2023.

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Treatment

Created by David Weil and executive produced by the Russo Brothers, adding a sci-fi touch to an otherwise regular spy thriller was a good decision for Citadel. The production values are top notch and it was a treat to watch Citadel in the movie theatre. One wonders if the same effect will be there on streaming. The overall treatment is good and the Russo Brothers touch will come into effect as the episodes progress.

Verdict

If Citadel season 1 does well, there may be one or two more seasons of the Amazon Studios original series. The rest of the episodes look like they will be good or even better, otherwise viewers will not be interested in the Indian version of Citadel starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

Let’s hope that does not happen, as Priyanka Chopra revealed that there will be some connection between the two versions. And with Raj and DK at the helm, the Indian Citadel is in good hands.

Possibly there will be a merging of the Citadel universes with its American, Indian, Italian and other versions. Prime Video already has an ace up its sleeve. For now, enjoy the Priyanka Chopra-Richard Madden original Citadel!

Disclaimer: This review is based on the first two episodes of Citadel, watched at the Asia premiere of Citadel in Mumbai.