Kolkata boy Soham Majumdar is happy to have worked with his filmmaking idols – director duo Raj and DK – in the Amazon Prime Video series Citadel: Honey Bunny, a part of the Russo brothers-produced Citadel universe. Soham, who was earlier seen in films like Kabir Singh and Pippa, plays Ludo on the Varun Dhavan–Samantha Ruth Prabhu led show. We caught up with him for a chat about his character, collaborating with Raj and DK, his future projects, and more.

How did Citadel: Honey Bunny happen to you?

Soham Majumdar: I got cast pretty early on – November 2022, I think. I remember shooting in Pune for the film Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video when I got a call for it. I was called in to audition for another character, almost like a cameo. But since it was Raj and DK’s project, I was like “let me just try and give the audition because it would be nice if they see my tape and we can work. Then, whatever may happen can happen.” They watched my audition for the character and felt that I should try Ludo’s character instead. So, I auditioned for it; the rest is what people are seeing.

What’s with your character being called Ludo?

Soham Majumdar: Initially, the character’s name was something else – a very regular one. Since my colleagues are Bunny (Varun Dhawan) and Chako (Shivankit Singh Parihar), I wondered why my name was so normal. I felt my character should have a quirkier name. So, I went back to the '90s and thought about all the tech-related cartoons I used to love. I rounded up many names, like Razor, and one of the Jonny Quest characters, but couldn't find something Indian and quirky at the same time.

I don't know why we were thinking about board games, but suddenly, the name Ludo came to my mind. I told Raj sir and DK sir, let's keep the name Ludo. They are so collaborative. They were like, “Yeah, that's a nice name. Let's keep that only.” We had even shot with the other name and had to redub some people's lines. Thankfully, it was only one day’s shoot so it could be changed.

You have quite a few good one-liners in the show. Any favourites?

Soham Majumdar: Many of Ludo's lines were self-improvised because I had a great skeleton to work upon. But there's a sequence in Belgrade (actually shot in Pancevo, Serbia) where we have to fake an accident. The script just mentioned a fake accident taking place, but no lines after that. So, everything was improvised. I can't pick a one-liner because it has more to do with the entire situation. Some lines were suggested by Raj and DK or Sita Menon, the show’s writer but otherwise, it was all collaborative. They let the actor's energy blend in with the role. They had to keep a check on the performances, but if the suggestions were good enough, they would keep it. Of course, they would not allow anything and everything.

In Pippa (2023), you played a character working in intelligence – a similar field as Ludo’s. How did you work on making Ludo’s character different?

Soham Majumdar: I was asked to play the intelligence guy with some suave in Pippa. With Ludo, the entire track was very different. He is a regular run-of-the-mill Mumbaiya guy, who talks in his Mumbaiya language – a person who doesn't know anything except his computers and his gadgets. That's how he has been brought up. So, I felt that he should be protective of his gadgets.

The only bit of homework I could do for this was to watch an ethical hacker friend of mine and some vlogs where these Bangalore dudes who work in IT-type jobs video-vlog their lives. Most of the time, whenever somebody plays a techie, they either look very serious or very fake, typing away all the time. But techies don't type all the time! There's a pace in how you press the keys and what you do on a keyboard. Although I didn’t have a screen in front of me as everything was done in VFX, knowing the measure of that pace was important.

Unlike Honey and Bunny, not much is known or seen about Ludo. How do you work on those aspects of a character that are not seen on screen?

Soham Majumdar: If you know nothing about that person, there's a lot of freedom because you can make people assume anything. The moment you know something, just as in real life, there's a lot of baggage in information. I feel the cleaner the slate, the better it is for me.

How does a Raj and DK set function? How was your experience working with them?

Soham Majumdar: Raj and DK are like Yin and Yang, man. They complement each other in the best way possible. They understand humour well. It's just the kind of humour I like, not over-the-top. So, I had a ball working with them. And they have the best team possible, from long-time collaborator Sita Menon, to the cinematographer, and their assistants Chesta, Tushar, and Manisha – everyone is brilliant. Everyone does their job properly and that's what you need on a massive set like this.

Working with Raj and DK has been nothing short of a dream come true. We've all watched the shows and films they make. I have been a fan since their debut film 99 and of course, Go Goa Gone. I first met Raj sir and their associate, Chesta Goswami. I was meeting one of my heroes, I was so excited! I only met DK sir a little while later. So, meeting them felt like a coming-of-age event for me.

So, what were your takeaways from this whole experience?

Soham Majumdar: My major takeaway was getting to know these minds – to know Samantha, Varun, Shivankit, and the creators, man. Hopefully, they will be in my life for good. Another unexpected takeaway was that our show is now number one worldwide! See, I am a huge fan of Prime Video’s The Boys, and I recently learned that our show has overtaken that show in terms of numbers! But it's not just the numbers that give me happiness, it's the love and also the healthy criticisms that we receive for the show. I feel that is what is important.

Citadel: Honey Bunny is an international show. Are you seeking opportunities abroad now that the show’s been released?

Soham Majumdar: When the time is right, the time will be right – I have never questioned that thought because I've always managed to get whatever, exactly when I'm supposed to. So, I'm just being patient and not relying on other things. For now, I have some work commitments in India, especially in Kolkata. Let me figure them out first, then, whatever happens, there is nothing I will say no to.

So, what can we expect next?

Soham Majumdar: Currently, I am working on two films in Kolkata. There’s also a Hindi 100-episoder for Sony Television that I am working on.

How many opportunities have come your way because of Kabir Singh?

Soham Majumdar: I'm speaking to you because of Kabir Singh. Everything that has followed in my life was because of that film. So, I owe everything to it.