Can’t Believe Celebrities Had To Follow These Shocking Rules On Prime Video’s The Traitors

From surrendering phones to sealed-off rooms and constant shadows, the mind games began long before the show even started

If you thought Prime Video’s biggest reality show The Traitors—set inside the majestic Suryagarh Palace—was just about deception, betrayal, and an exciting backdrop full of drama, think again. With 20 celebrity players in the mix, the stakes were sky-high, and so were the precautions. Behind the scenes, a whole other game was unfolding. These little-known rules and protocols were designed to protect the secrecy, integrity, and psychological intensity of the show—and they’re just as gripping as what you see on screen. Here’s everything that went down before the cameras started rolling:

1. The Secret Starts With Silence
Every player had to sign strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), swearing secrecy about their participation, identity, and even the format of the show.

2. No One Knew Who Else Was Playing… Until It Was Show Time
Players were kept completely in the dark about their fellow players. They only discovered who else was in the game when they entered the palace.

3. Multiple Rounds of Vetting
Not everyone makes the cut. Players were shortlisted after extensive interview rounds designed to test their strategic thinking, ability to handle pressure, and psychological profile.

4. They Had to Take Personality Tests Too
Producers weren’t just looking for star power—they were looking for the right mindset. Players had to take lengthy personality tests to assess their emotional intelligence, manipulative potential, and loyalty thresholds.

5. The Producers—and Karan Johar—Chose The Traitor(s)
Think the players had a say in who the Traitor(s) would be? Nope. That power rested solely with the producers and host Karan Johar. No player was consulted or informed in advance.

6. Players’ Flights Were Scattered to Avoid Any Pre-Game Bonding
Players weren’t just isolated during filming. Even their travel was designed to prevent collusion. Each player flew separately to the location, with zero chance of early alliances forming.

7. Pre-Isolation Before the Game Even Began
Upon arrival, players were isolated for an entire day before the real game started—no phones, no interactions, just time to mentally prepare.

8. Digital Detox, Like Never Before
Forget any connection to the outside world. Players had to surrender everything—phones, laptops, iPads, smartwatches, music players, even money. No screens. No contact. Just the game.

9. Everyone Lived in the Same Palace—But Totally Cut Off
Yes, the players shared the same royal location. But no, they didn’t know where the others were. Peepholes were blocked out, rooms were separated, and no one was housed next to each other.

10. Every Player Had a Personal “Shadow” (Masked Hooded Personal)
To prevent off-camera whispering, each player had a designated “shadow”—a member of the crew who followed them everywhere, even escorting them to and from rooms and guarding the doors.

11. Strategizing Happened in Solitude
Inside their rooms, players were given photos of their fellow Players, a game rulebook, and blank notepads—that was all carefully regulated.

12. Even Hair and Makeup Wasn’t Allowed
There were no glam squads on set. Players were expected to fend for themselves when it came to grooming, adding a raw, unfiltered vibe to the high-stakes atmosphere.

The palace wasn’t just a set—it was a psychological battlefield. With no peepholes, no phones, no contact, and absolutely no idea who was lurking in the next room, The Traitors transformed the regal Suryagarh Palace into a high-stakes fortress of mind games. Brutal rules, complete isolation, and a cast of 20 celebrity players—including Anshula Kapoor, Apoorva, 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—make every moment unpredictable. Hosted by Karan Johar, this game of lies, alliances, and betrayal will premiere exclusively on Prime Video starting today, with new episodes dropping every Thursday at 8PM.

Rise & Shine! It’s Dhokha Time…