Karan Johar has never shied away from drama — on screen or in life. But with The Traitors, his newest venture as host of the Indian adaptation of the globally hit reality series, he finds himself in a game that’s all too familiar.
“Traitors have been happening to me all my life,” Johar said at the trailer launch. “We work in an industry where trust is rare, and betrayal is everywhere.” This isn’t just another high-gloss celebrity show — The Traitors is a psychological battleground. It premieres on Prime Video on June 12, with three new episodes every Thursday at 8:00 PM, taking viewers on a wild ride of strategy, secrets, and survival.
Johar shared the moment the show came to him:“Nikhil (from Prime Video) came to my house one evening and said, ‘There’s a show called The Traitors — and I want you to host it.’ I said, ‘Who else but me should host a show called The Traitors?’”
Once onboard, Johar dived deep into the format, watching the cult-favorite UK and US versions, both of which are into their third seasons and have become viral sensations.“I was absolutely enthralled, invested, mesmerized by the cleverness of the format. It was created in the Netherlands — those Dutch creators are insanely sharp!”
Karan draws a stark line between The Traitors and other reality shows:“This isn’t the kind of reality TV where you pretend to cry or fake emotions. Here, everything is raw, real, and in real time. When someone feels betrayed, they actually feel hurt. When someone’s victorious, you see genuine joy.”
In The Traitors, 20 celebrity contestants enter a castle filled with suspicion. Among them, three are secretly designated as "traitors." Their job? Deceive the rest and eliminate the innocents — one by one. Each day, all players vote out someone they believe is a traitor. The twist? They don’t always get it right.“The best part is when someone is voted out — and just before they leave, they’re asked: ‘Are you a traitor… or innocent?’ And when they get it wrong — oh, the collective gasp in the room! But when they get it right, the energy is electric.”
Adding a dark, cinematic twist, the three traitors also meet secretly each night under a clocktower to choose one contestant to “murder” — ensuring there are always two eliminations per episode.
Known for his sharp wit and emotional intelligence, Johar admits this show was different even for him:“It’s not just a game — it’s an emotional thriller. And for once, the reactions are not put on. Even as a host, I was on edge. I couldn’t sleep some nights. That’s how intense it got.”
With a powerhouse cast including Raftaar, Karan Kundrra, Uorfi Javed, Anshula Kapoor, and more, The Traitors promises to bring reality TV to a whole new level — blending murder mystery with unscripted emotional theatre. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s coming for your trust.