The Traitors review: Bigg Boss meets Roadies in Karan Johar's luxe reality show

Trust is rare, betrayal is everywhere! Packed with chaos, mind games, and strategy, Prime Video's latest reality show 'The Traitors' takes things a notch above 'Bigg Boss'. Set against the majestic backdrop of Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer, 20 celebrities enter the abode with their fates sealed. Here, it's not just about winning, it's about who can deceive the best while serving looks and drama.advertisementFronted by the dynamic and charismatic Karan Johar, the show boasts an impressive lineup of stars including Karan Kundrra, Anshula Kapoor, Ashish Vidyarthi, Elnaaz Norouzi, Harsh Gujral, Jannat Zubair, Janvee Gaurr, Apoorva Mukhija, Jasmine Bhasin, Lakshmi Manchu, Maheep Kapoor, Mukesh Chhabra, Nikita Luther, Purav Jha, Raftaar, Uorfi Javed, Raj Kundra, Sahil Salathia, Sudhanshu Pandey, and Sufi Motiwala.'The Traitors' India has been adapted from an American reality TV show of the same name, which is based on the Dutch series 'De Verraders'.
'The Traitors' blends grandeur with intense, high-stakes drama. At its core, the show is a gripping game of trust, betrayal, and survival, where 20 celebrity contestants are secretly split and traitors are carefully picked from the innocent. As the game progresses, lies, mind games, and strategic moves push friendships, alliances, and gut instincts to the edge, all in the relentless pursuit of eliminating the traitor from the show. At what cost? The winner gets prize money of Rs 1 crore. advertisementHighlighting the line 'Trust is rare and dhokha is everywhere', Karan Johar introduced the contestants in the first episode. Briefing all about the rules of the ruthless game, KJo explained how the identity of the traitors will be hidden for 10 days, and towards the end, if the traitor survives while the innocents are all killed, he/she walks away with the trophy.Before the contestants had a chance to truly interact or bond, KJo threw in a dramatic twist as he asked everyone to pick one person they trusted. The move immediately left Elnaaz Norouzi out of the trust circle. However, she was granted a special power to replace someone, and she chose Nikita Luther, who was instantly evicted from the show. The unexpected move stunned many, leaving others second-guessing their decision to join this ruthless game.After an initial meet and greet, the host dropped the bombshell and picked three traitors who were tasked to kill 'innocent people' while deceiving others.Just as the game gained momentum and day one came to a gripping close, it was time for the traitors to make their first deadly move. With suspense running high and viewers eager to see who would be their first target, the shocker came when Sahil Salathia was unexpectedly 'killed,' leaving everyone shocked and surprised.advertisementNot just conspiracies, unpredictable twists, and groupism are some of the things that you need to look out for. The format also introduced tricky tasks which tested their problem-solving skills, their team chemistry and the team's mentality to not buckle under pressure.However, it feels like these tasks ended up taking away the shine of the reality show. Halfway through the show, it felt like a fancy version of 'Roadies' where the contestants are given tasks to perform as a team and individually. While the main focus is to find and eliminate the traitor among themselves, the tasks that have no relevance to the show's plotline shift focus from the main attraction.From colourful suits to sartorial outfits, Karan Johar brings the drama in his flamboyant style to the show. But being a host, he is rarely seen. While the game focusses on the mental strength of the contestants, a host's presence also adds weight.The contestants look promising, and it's their chemistry, camaraderie, and 'nok-jhok' that truly steal the spotlight. From witty banter to unexpected alliances and brewing rivalries, their dynamic interactions are bound to keep fans hooked, guessing every step of the way.advertisementIf you're a fan of reality TV, a sucker for twists, or just eager to see your favourite celebrities in a whole new avatar, 'The Traitors' could be a way to quench your thirst for drama. This review is based on the first three episodes.The show will stream new episodes every Thursday at 8 pm, on Prime Video.2.5 out of 5 stars for 'The Traitors'Must Watch

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