Actor Sahil Salathia, the first contestant eliminated from The Traitors, has publicly expressed his disappointment with fellow contestant and longtime friend Elnaaz Norouzi, who played a key role in his ousting from the show’s opening episode.
The Indian adaptation of the hit international reality format, hosted by Karan Johar, premiered on Prime Video recently and has already stirred emotions and controversy. In the debut episode, Sahil was “murdered” by the trio of traitors — Elnaaz, Raj Kundra, and Purav Jha — in a secret vote.
“You Have Changed Me as a Person”
Days after the shocking elimination aired, Sahil took to Instagram, posting a series of emotional videos calling out Elnaaz. The two shared an eight-year-long friendship, which made the betrayal particularly painful for him.
“What did Elnaaz gain by killing her best friend of eight years in episode one, over 17 other contestants?” he asked.
In an emotional outpouring, Sahil continued:
“You have changed me as a person. You have changed how I look at people. And congratulations to you, you have succeeded. You have lost in life, but I hope you win this show.”
Mixed Reactions from Contestants and Fans
Fellow contestant Sufi Motiwala, 21, responded to Sahil’s post, trying to ease the tension:
“Sahil, it’s just a game ya… Wish you stayed longer but baby it’s a game, anyone would’ve had to take their friend out to build trust…”
He also joked:
“Your fits kind of shined too hard, so we had to take you out.”
Meanwhile, fans online were divided. Some sided with Sahil, empathizing with his pain, while others questioned his emotional response in a strategy-driven game.
“Then why didn’t you choose her in the first place, man?” one fan asked, referring to Sahil selecting Uorfi Javed over Elnaaz as the person he trusted most when asked by Karan Johar.
Another wrote:
“Isn’t that the real name of the show ‘TRAITORS’? Bro, you actually got to play the game in the real sense… Have a sportsman spirit, buddy!”
Supporters also chimed in:
“The industry requires thick skin… but that’s your superpower. Onwards and upwards.”
About the Show
The Traitors, co-produced by BBC Studios India and All3Media International, features 20 celebrity contestants navigating deception, trust, and betrayal. Along with Sahil, celebrities like Karan Kundrra, Raj Kundra, and Lakshmi Manchu have also been eliminated. The show’s unique format continues to generate buzz with new episodes dropping every Thursday on Prime Video.
As emotions run high, fans are left wondering — in a game built on betrayal, can personal bonds truly survive?