Gulkanda Tales Faces Trouble
Raj and DK’s period sex comedy Gulkanda Tales for Prime Video is also facing issues. The show, starring Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Kunal Kemmu, has gone through multiple re-shoots and edits after feedback from Prime Video. Despite the comedy taking a humorous approach to topics like feminism and the Kamasutra, there have been concerns over its content.
A source close to the project said, “It’s fiction with a funny take on these topics, so why would anyone get upset with the jokes?” However, Prime Video reportedly wasn’t happy with the rushes, and with the increasing budget, it’s uncertain whether the show will ever be released. A large amount of Rs. 120 crore has been spent, and it’s been over two years since the show was announced.
Raj & DK’s Success in the OTT Space
Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. have had no shortage of work since OTT platforms exploded in India. Their shows have been highly successful, starting with The Family Man (2019) on Prime Video, starring Manoj Bajpayee. The show was an instant hit, and its second season also received a great response. They followed up with Farzi (2023) on Prime Video, which marked Shahid Kapoor’s OTT debut. In the same year, they created Guns & Gulaabs for Netflix, starring Dulquer Salmaan and Rajkummar Rao, which received mixed reviews.
The Launch of Citadel: Honey Bunny
In 2024, Raj and DK launched their biggest project yet, Citadel: Honey Bunny—a spy thriller backed by the Russo Brothers. The series marked Varun Dhawan’s OTT debut alongside Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Despite the star power and high expectations, the show received poor feedback, much lower than what Prime Video and the Russo Brothers had hoped. Industry sources suggest that the Indian version of Citadel may not get a second season due to the high production costs and low output. While the American and Italian versions of Citadel received positive reviews, the Indian version struggled.
Behind the Scenes: Managing Multiple Projects
Ahead of the Citadel: Honey Bunny release, Raj and DK gave an interview to Bollywood Hungama in London. They discussed how they manage their busy careers. Raj shared, “DK and I had to wait a lot in the early part of our careers for stars to give us dates.
We have so many stories to tell, and now that we are producers, it’s time to release them all.” The show faced criticism for casting Varun Dhawan in an action role, to which Raj explained, “I like to push actors, I like to see them in a new light.” Also: Akshay’s glamorous co-star, once a top Bollywood heroine, saw her career change with the rise of item songs. Now, after 30 years, she shares the story of her love.
Financial Fraud Allegations in Rakt Bramhand
Things took a turn for the worse with reports of financial fraud on their upcoming show Rakt Bramhand. The show, which stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Wamiqa Gabi, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Ali Fazal, is reportedly involved in a fraud case of up to Rs. 2 crore. The scam is allegedly connected to the executive producer, with accounting irregularities detected. Netflix has initiated an investigation into the matter, as they maintain high compliance standards in their productions. This issue raised questions when Rakt Bramhand was absent from Netflix’s recent slate announcement, leaving fans wondering about its future.
Trade Experts Weigh In
Trade experts suggest that Raj and DK may have taken on more than they can handle, as the quality of their recent projects appears inconsistent. However, there is still some hope for the director duo with The Family Man Season 3. The show seems to be on track, and it’s now one of their main projects to focus on moving forward.
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