No retakes, no scripts: The Traitors India director on filming show real-time

India Today

7 days ago

With its mind games, real-time tension, and unfiltered drama, 'The Traitors India' became an unexpected hit, winning over fans and critics alike. But behind the immersive format and stylish execution was director Nishant Nayak, a reality TV veteran who took on the challenging task of adapting a globally loved format for Indian audiences. In an exclusive chat with India Today, Nishant opened up about directing the format, why there were no retakes, and how authenticity became the show's biggest strength.advertisementQ. What drew you to 'The Traitors' and how did you view the challenge of adapting such a globally recognised format? Were you ever sceptical?Nishant: I'm usually brought in for first seasons, and that in itself is a massive responsibility, especially when it's an international format. You're expected to stay true to the global design while also localising it for Indian sensibilities. I always start by watching the original versions, and with The Traitors, I was hooked instantly. The psychological element, the mind games, the fact that it's not your typical studio-based show, it all excited me. There's something deeply nostalgic too, like playing Mafia with friends. I wasn't sceptical as much as I was aware of how high the bar was, and that we'd need to honour the format without losing our unique flavour.
Q. What was the unique challenge with 'The Traitors' as a director, especially when you couldn't interact with the cast?Nishant: That was the golden rule, no interaction with the contestants. Not even a hello. I was just this guy running around with my camera team. The only one I spoke to on set was Karan Johar, because his segments were filmed separately. It was all real-time, no retakes. If something wasn't captured, that moment was just... gone. That made it thrilling and stressful. It was like shooting a live sport, we had to rely entirely on instincts and prep. The entire crew had to be invisible, like a fly on the wall.Read the review of The Traitors India here.Q. There's always a lot of speculation about reality shows, 'Is it scripted or not?' Tell us a bit about that?Nishant: In most reality shows, narratives are constructed with the help of video diaries or in hindsight commentary. As a director, you nudge contestants to articulate what's happening for the edit. That's the only scripting - editorial framing. But The Traitors didn't even allow that. This was like capturing a cricket match, you film it as it happens and then reverse-engineer the story in post. You build the edit backward from the outcome. So, the show is as authentic as it gets. No second takes, no narrative manipulation.advertisementQ. You've worked on a wide range of formats - from 'Shark Tank' to 'Fear Factor'. What was it like working on something this layered and unpredictable?Nishant: Every format teaches you something. Here, the prep was intense because we were dealing with elements of captivity (Bigg Boss), stunts (Fear Factor), and live decision-making. I leaned on my experiences, and most importantly, on my team. We handpicked the best - from DOPs to camera ops - people who could anticipate action before it happened. Like that frame where a contestant threw something into the pond? It looked choreographed, but it wasn't. It was just perfect teamwork and readiness. I always made Plan A, B, and C - and sometimes D - because in India, delays are inevitable. You adapt.Q. Did you have a favourite contestant from 'The Traitors'?Nishant: (laughs) As a director, I had to stay neutral. But as an audience member? Elnaz was a standout. She understood the game and executed it with precision, especially that axe mission. Apoorva was wonderfully unfiltered. Uorfi, coming from a prior reality show, knew how to read the tempo and respond. I also appreciated how no one was nasty, there was strategy, but no toxicity. That's rare in reality TV, and it was refreshing to witness.advertisementQ. Finally, if you could tweak one thing next season, what would it be?Nishant: I'd love for a traitor to win, honestly. I think it happened in one season of 'The Traitors UK'. Oh gosh, how thrilling that was!- EndsMust Watch