In a candid interview, Varun Dhawan opened up about the alarming moment when his co-star, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, collapsed on the set of Citadel: Honey Bunny. The two actors were shooting for the upcoming spy thriller when Samantha’s health issues became a concern.
Samantha, who has been battling myositis, a rare autoimmune condition, had earlier confessed that she fainted while on set. Varun, who was visibly shaken by the incident, recalled his reaction to the situation during a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India.
“I was so worried,” Varun shared. He described a particularly harrowing day when Samantha, after a long stretch of shooting, shut her eyes and said, “It’s just one of those days.” The crew continued filming for about two hours before an oxygen tank was brought to the set for Samantha. “She was taking oxygen on the side, but she never asked for a break,” Varun said, praising her resilience.
The most alarming moment came when the pair were shooting in Serbia at a railway station. Samantha had to run behind Varun, but after the shot, she collapsed. “I caught her and I went to Raj and said, ‘Pack up,’ and they were like, ‘Calm down. You go and stand over there. Don’t worry, she will be fine.’ I just didn’t know what to do,” Varun admitted, visibly moved by the experience.
Despite her health struggles, Samantha refused to let her condition interfere with her work. Varun, who saw her push through the discomfort, described her as an “inspiration,” acknowledging that his own problems paled in comparison to what she was enduring.
Samantha, in a separate interview with Galatta India, shared how she had initially urged Raj & DK, the show’s directors, to cast someone else in her place after her diagnosis. “I begged them to move on because I really didn’t think I could do it. I was really sure I couldn’t. I sent other recommendations,” she revealed. However, despite her doubts, the directors insisted she stay on, and she eventually agreed.
Citadel: Honey Bunny is the Indian chapter of the Russo Brothers’ global espionage series, Citadel, which stars Priyanka Chopra in the main lead. The show, set in the 1990s, is currently streaming on Prime Video India. Samantha’s determination to complete the project, despite her health challenges, has made her a role model for fans and colleagues alike.
Samantha’s strength and dedication, as well as Varun’s heartfelt recollections of their time together on set, highlight the remarkable spirit with which the actress has navigated her illness and continued her career.
Sources By Agencies
