Following the buzz around the Indian adaptation of The Traitors, which premiered on June 13 on Prime Video, questions have emerged about the authenticity of the reality TV format. Actor Sudhanshu Pandey, one of the show’s contestants, has firmly dismissed rumours suggesting the show is scripted.
In a recent interview with Screen, Pandey addressed the speculation, stating, “Absolutely not. You can’t script a reality show. It’s humanly impossible to expect people to remember lines all day long.”
Known for his composed presence and keen insight, Pandey elaborated that while reality shows are not scripted, they are carefully designed to provoke certain psychological reactions. “What these shows do is create a controlled environment. When you place people in specific circumstances, their natural behaviour surfaces. That’s where the drama unfolds,” he explained.
He described The Traitors as a “mind game,” emphasizing that while scenarios may be constructed, the reactions and interactions among contestants are genuine. “It’s a psychological setup—different personalities put together, with situations crafted to trigger organic conflict or alliance. But nothing is scripted,” he clarified.
The Indian edition of The Traitors is hosted by Karan Johar and features an ensemble cast of celebrities, including Karan Kundrra, Anshula Kapoor, Ashish Vidyarthi, Elnaaz Norouzi, Jannat Zubair, Uorfi Javed, Raftaar, Maheep Kapoor, Harsh Gujral, Lakshmi Manchu, and Mukesh Chhabra. Businessman Raj Kundra was the first to be eliminated from the series.