- Wednesday, June 04, 2025
Amazon Prime Video’s new reality thriller, The Traitors, hosted by Karan Johar, puts 20 contestants in a castle for a battle of deception and survival. The show premieres June 12, with new episodes every Thursday.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Karan Johar is back on the small screen — this time as the enigmatic host of The Traitors, a brand-new reality show that’s already being called a “sophisticated Bigg Boss” by internet users. Amazon Prime Video dropped the much-awaited trailer on Friday (30), unveiling the game’s high-stakes setup, a luxurious castle, and a star-studded contestant lineup.
Described as a “ruthless” and “twisted” social strategy game, The Traitors features 20 players, some famous and some lesser-known, who will stay together in an elaborate mansion while trying to sniff out three hidden traitors amongst them. These traitors will “murder” innocent players each night, and the group must work together to eliminate them before it’s too late.
The cast includes a mix of influencers, actors, and public figures: Uorfi Javed, Raj Kundra, Anshula Kapoor, Karan Kundrra, Raftaar, Jasmin Bhasin, Maheep Kapoor, Mukesh Chhabra, Lakshmi Manchu, Jannat Zubair, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Gujral, Apoorva aka Rebel Kid, Sudhanshu Pandey, Sahil Salathia, Sufi Motiwala, Elnaaz Norouzi, Nikita Luther, Janvi Gaur, and Purav Jha.
The trailer teases drama and paranoia from the start. Johar describes the players as “shatir” (clever), while explaining the cruel premise: “Three traitors will ‘murder’ innocent contestants every night, while others must unmask them to survive.”
The footage shows emotional breakdowns, accusations, and suspense-filled votes — along with memorable one-liners. Rapper Raftaar boldly declares he’d quit music if he turns out to be a traitor, while Uorfi Javed threatens to shave her head.
The trailer also features intense moments of doubt and betrayal. Jasmin Bhasin and Jannat Zubair are seen crying, while Anshula Kapoor warns, “No one is truly yours here. Everyone’s here to deceive.” The psychological mind games and alliances forming under pressure are central to the show’s concept.
Produced by BBC Studios India, The Traitors promises betrayal at every turn and minimal room for trust. Its official synopsis reads: “Welcome to The Traitors — a ruthless reality show hosted by the enigmatic Karan Johar. Here 20 players will openly betray each other for daily eliminations to compete for a grand prize. Hidden amongst the innocent players are the traitors who are out to murder each night. In this ruthless game, trust is rare and betrayal everywhere.”
The show will premiere on June 12 on Amazon Prime Video, with new episodes dropping every Thursday at 8 PM.
While viewers are drawing comparisons with Bigg Boss, Splitsvilla, and Roadies, The Traitors stands out for its game-theory inspired format and international success — having been adapted from the hit Dutch-British version. Will the Indian edition live up to the hype? With Karan Johar at the helm and a bold mix of celebrities, the odds seem promising.
