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Nikita Luther, India’s top female poker player, joins The Traitors hosted by Karan Johar. She discusses how poker prepared her for the show’s psychological challenges.
Nikita Luther will be seen in The Traitors.
Nikita Luther is no stranger to high stakes. As one of India’s most celebrated female poker players, she’s made a name for herself bluffing her way through tournaments with nerves of steel. Now, she’s stepping into an entirely different arena: the psychological battlefield of The Traitors, hosted by Karan Johar. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Nikita opens up about what drew her to the show, how poker prepared her for the game of betrayal, and why Karan Johar’s unnerving smile might just be scarier than being stabbed in the back.
Excerpts from the interview:
What made you say yes to The Traitors?
Saying yes to The Traitors was easy because it isn’t just a show, it is a social experiment disguised as entertainment. I was drawn to a format where strategy wins over spectacle. Not the kind of chaos driven by crass drama or staged toxicity, but games where intellect could potentially decide the outcome. That kind of challenge doesn’t come often, and I wanted in.
Karan is known for digging out secrets. Were you more afraid of the Traitors or his questions?
Karan came with a cold steel vibe, it was definitely unnerving. None of us knew the format, so every time he leaned forward with that smile, I was like… ‘Uh-oh, what now?’ The Traitors were scary, but at least you knew betrayal was part of the game. With Karan, you didn’t even know the rules yet.
How did you prepare yourself mentally for a game based on lies and trust?
I trained myself to stay emotionally detached, to observe more than react, and to build trust without needing to feel it. It wasn’t about being dishonest, it was about being adaptable and that’s where the real game is.
You’ve made your name bluffing at poker tables. Do you think lying comes naturally to you now and that might help you in The Traitors?
Bluffing isn’t lying. It’s storytelling under pressure. The trick is knowing when to sell the story and when to fold it. That’s what I have brought with me.
Is there a moral line you’d never cross for Rs 25 lakh… or would you sell your soul for the finale?
I wouldn’t sell my soul… but I might lease it short-term with the option to renew.
Do you think your poker skills make you more dangerous in a game built on betrayal? Or are you just another overhyped strategist?
My poker skills sharpen my edge in a game of betrayal. Reading bluffs, masking intent, and timing moves with precision. They make me a quiet threat, not a loud one. Overhyped is usually what people say right before they underestimate you and that is usually a big mistake.
Do you worry that The Traitors could ruin your image — what if India sees you as a cold-hearted manipulator after this?
Some say a true mastermind leaves the audience captivated, not deceived. I’m not here to claim that title. I’m just here to play the game as honestly as I can, within the rules it gave me. If that leaves people wondering who I really am, I’m okay with that. I trust the audience to look deeper and maybe even give me the benefit of the doubt.
You’ve spent years calculating odds and reading people. What if someone finally outplays you on national television?
In poker they say you don’t have to win the hand, you have to win the tournament. I don’t mind being outplayed in a moment if I’m still learning how to win the bigger game. Every misread is just more insight for the next move.
How much of the ‘real’ Nikita will we see on the show, and how much will be pure performance?
I will be performing when the other contestants are around me. If you’re watching me when the others aren’t in the room, that’s the real deal. No filter, no performance. Just pure, uncut Nikita.
Do you think being a woman in poker and now on The Traitors gives you an edge — or are you tired of proving yourself in male-dominated spaces?
I’ve spent years watching men try to figure me out at the table. It’s the same on The Traitors. If they think being a woman makes me less dangerous, I’m happy to let them make that assumption.
If someone backstabs you on the show, will you take it as strategy or war?
I won’t be taking it personally, but I will be taking notes. I always play the long game.
If you had to betray someone close to you for the win… would you? And would you lose sleep over it?
I’m someone who really values loyalty, so betraying someone I was close to wouldn’t come easy. I’d probably wrestle with it a lot, but we all knew what we were signing up for at The Traitors. So if that betrayal is just a move I have to play to outlast everyone; I’ll cry later, first I’ll win.
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