After the elimination of Chinmayi Sripada, Nikhil Vijendra Simha, Gaurav Sunil and Vidyullekha Raman, The Traitors Telugu returns with three new episodes that bring better missions, heated arguments and some interesting mind games. Hosted by Teja Sajja, the show becomes more engaging as the contestants struggle to identify the Traitors while protecting themselves from suspicion.
Vishnu’s Entry Into the Traitors Changes the Game
Episode four begins with Dhananjay returning to the house after being eliminated before entering the game. Many contestants expect him to become a Traitor, but Teja Sajja and the existing Traitors, Ashika Padukone and Rahat Achanta, choose Vishnu Oi instead.
However, Vishnu fails to maintain his cover. His sudden change in behaviour raises suspicions, and he is banished within a day, giving the Innocents another important win. The Traitors strike back by murdering Sai Ronak, reducing the number of Innocents and keeping the pressure on the group.
Meanwhile, Rahat plays a careful game, building trust with Varsha D’Souza and Pranav Chaganti while trying to direct suspicion towards others. His strategy works for a while, but Shravya Varma begins questioning his actions.
Missions Finally Bring the Required Tension
The biggest improvement in these episodes is the missions. Each challenge feels more engaging than the previous one, adding tension to a game that depends on both teamwork and individual decisions.
The first mission involves carrying a symbolic dead body and collecting watches and sandalwood. The contestants fail to complete the challenge successfully and add nothing to the common prize pot.
The second mission, worth Rs. 28 lakh, brings a more interesting twist. Seven pairs must roll barrels towards a hut, but the real test comes when contestants must choose between keeping their individual winnings or contributing them to the common prize pot. Not one contestant puts money into the shared fund. Everyone chooses personal gain over collective success, exposing the lack of unity in the group. Although the contestants behave like friends during conversations, their decisions show that everyone is ultimately playing for themselves.
The third mission raises the tension further. The Traitors select Shravya, Mouneesha Chowdary, Harsha Vardhan and Dhananjay as potential targets for a midnight murder. The remaining contestants must rescue them, but only Mouneesha is saved, with Rahat playing a key role. Ironically, Mouneesha later suspects Rahat of being a Traitor. His attempt to gain her trust does not stop her from following her instincts.
Shravya Shines as Rahat Comes Under Pressure
Shravya emerges as the strongest player among the Innocents. After helping expose Vidyullekha, she again identifies suspicious behaviour and points towards Rahat. Her arguments prove correct when Rahat is banished, giving the Innocents another significant victory.
Rahat’s elimination also shows how personal relationships can become a weakness in this game. Varsha is disappointed to discover that someone she trusted was using their closeness as part of his strategy. Pranav, however, continues to believe Rahat is innocent, showing how easily trust can cloud judgment.
Pragathi Mahavadi also makes a positive impression, particularly after believing she played a role in Vishnu’s elimination. Swikar Agasthi has good instincts but needs to express his suspicions more confidently. Harsha Vardhan, meanwhile, struggles to identify the real Traitors, suspecting Shravya and later Dhananjay instead of Rahat.
Dhananjay also needs to become more vocal. Staying quiet may keep him away from immediate conflict, but it can make him an easy target, as the earlier eliminations of Gaurav Sunil and Palguni Bhangera demonstrate.
Ashika Has the Biggest Challenge Ahead
With Vishnu and Rahat out, Ashika Padukone is now the only remaining Traitor. Her quiet approach has helped her avoid suspicion, but she can no longer rely on another Traitor to share the pressure. She must find ways to manipulate the Innocents without exposing herself.
Shravya remains a major threat, while the divisions among the contestants could give Ashika opportunities to turn them against one another. The coming episodes will reveal whether she can take advantage of their personal grudges and misplaced trust.
Teja Sajja Takes a Back Seat
Teja Sajja remains a capable host, but he offers less entertainment in these episodes than in the opening three. The missions and increasingly heated Round of Doubt discussions take centre stage as friendships begin to crack and contestants openly question one another.
Verdict :
Episodes four to six make The Traitors Telugu a more engaging watch, mainly because of the improved missions and the growing intensity of the mind games. Shravya’s instincts give the Innocents an edge, while the contestants’ refusal to contribute to the common prize pot exposes their selfishness.
However, the lengthy runtime remains a drawback. Each episode runs for around an hour and 15 minutes, with some approaching or exceeding two hours. Although the show has several interesting moments worth watching, stretching every discussion and development makes it difficult to watch multiple episodes in one sitting.
With Ashika as the lone remaining Traitor, the balance of power has shifted, and it will be interesting to see whether she can turn the tables.