KJo opens up about his upcoming reality series The Traitors, reveals how it is different from other shows 

Ria Sharma

The makers of The Traitors unveiled the spectacular trailer for its upcoming unscripted reality show, an Indian adaptation of the internationally acclaimed thriller series. Hosted by Karan Johar, the maiden season teems with treachery and deception. The trailer shows 20 contestants, called ‘players’ at Rajasthan’s Suryagarh Palace with a single objective: to win the title and cash prize amassed through various physical and psychological missions.

Identified as ‘innocents,’ players must find and eliminate the ‘traitors’ from among them, who are secretly chosen at the beginning of the show by Karan. In a power play of betrayals, cold-hearted deception, and manipulations, the traitors will need to eliminate the innocents, unless the innocents are able to identify.

The players are Anshula Kapoor, Apoorva Mukhija, Ashish Vidyarthi, Elnaaz Nourouzi, Harsh Gujral, Jannat Zubair, Janvi Gaur, Jasmine Bhasin, Karan Kundrra, Lakshmi Manchu, Maheep Kapoor, Mukesh Chhabra, Nikita Luther, Purav Jha, Raftaar, Raj Kundra, Sahil Salathia, Sudhanshu Pandey, Sufi Motiwala, and Uorfi Javed.

During the grand trailer launch event in Mumbai, Karan opened up about agreeing to do the project. He shared, “I watched the international formats, the UK and US versions, which are already cult, loved and hugely popular, both into their third seasons. I was enthralled, invested, engaged, and mesmerised by the sheer craziness of this supremely clever format. It was different from every other reality show that is on any kind of platform.”

Explaining how The Traitors would be different from other reality shows he added, “I’ve never done something like this before. You don’t need to be inauthentic. In many reality shows, we’re also fraudulent, crying when we don’t feel like crying, laughing loudly when we don’t feel like laughing.

But here, there’s none of that. It’s all real-time drama and you’re reacting authentically. There’s no put-on. Everyone is being an authentic self. You’re really feeling betrayed, hurt, happy or empowered. You are the most authentic self of yourself and I think that’s what really excited me. It’s absolutely raw.”

Nikhil Madhok, head of Originals, Prime Video, India, said, “With The Traitors, we’re diving headfirst into a format unlike anything India has seen before, and the trailer is just a glimpse into the edgy, gripping, and wildly unpredictable show that redefines what reality content can be. It is the ultimate test of trust and betrayal, where the players are under a constant cloud of betrayal with their minds as their only aid.

The Indian adaptation adds its own texture to the globally celebrated format while retaining the core elements that have made the show a worldwide phenomenon.” All the 20 players, whose names were revealed by the makers during the event, opened up about their game plan and strategies. 

Actress Shilpa Shetty’s husband, businessman Raj Kundra, who is one of the players, said he will definitely use the nepo-husband card for the show. “Whenever I have worn a mask in my life, many have often wondered what I am hiding behind the mask. There has been a mystery behind it, so I think that mystery might help me in this game. The Traitors is a Kalyug show, and it would not be easy to recognise a friend or an enemy. With this strategy, I hope that the mystery might help me in this game. Last but not least, Karan is hosting the show, so I will definitely use the nepo husband card,” he jokingly said. 

Content creator Apoorva Mukhija said, “For me, being a red flag is all about lying, manipulation and deception but to do all of that you require brains which unfortunately most of these people (her co-contestants) don’t have. So, I don’t know if I am the biggest red flag but I use more than one brain cell at all times.”