Vijay Mallya, once known as the flamboyant “King of Good Times,” is back in the spotlight, not for his lavish parties or controversial past, but because his old IPL team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, finally lifted the IPL trophy after an 18-year wait.
Though he’s no longer associated with the team, Mallya’s name is being spoken again as fans remember the early RCB days under his ownership. But alongside the nostalgia, there’s also controversy that continues to follow him.
Mallya, a former Member of Parliament and business tycoon, is now a fugitive living in the UK, wanted in India for financial fraud, loan defaults, and money laundering amounting to over ₹6,200 crore. One major case against him involves a ₹900 crore default from IDBI Bank.
“Where is the chori?” – Mallya Breaks His Silence
In a recent four-hour podcast episode titled “King of Good Times” with entrepreneur and host Raj Shamani, Mallya addressed many topics — from regrets about Kingfisher Airlines to his much-talked-about legal troubles.
In an emotional moment, he even apologized to the former Kingfisher staff, many of whom have spoken out in the past about unpaid dues and job losses.
However, when questioned about the “fugitive” tag and accusations of theft, Mallya strongly denied wrongdoing. He said he would consider returning to India if assured of a fair trial and dignified treatment.
“Where is the ‘chori’ (theft)?” he asked defiantly.
“Fugitive, yes, but not a thief.”
His comments have sparked a fresh round of public debate, with many divided over whether he deserves a second chance or must be held fully accountable.
Mallya on Calendar Girls: “We Chose the Right Girls”
Another interesting part of the podcast was when Raj Shamani brought up the iconic Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar, launched in 2003. The calendar, known for its glamour, played a role in launching the careers of some now-famous Bollywood stars.
When asked why so many of the models featured on the calendar went on to become successful, Mallya credited the selection strategy and talent spotting of his team.
“Because we chose the right girls,” he said, adding:
“We chose the right girls, whether it was Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif. We had all the heroines and the stars on the calendar at a younger age. We picked the right talent. I did it because it was a fantastic marketing tool. Did not bring anything to me personally. But it did wonders to the brand.”
Indeed, stars like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, now household names, were once featured in the calendar and later catapulted to success.
Deepika herself once acknowledged this in an old interview with FilmiBeat in 2009, saying:
“At the beginning of my career, I was part of the calendar, and it’s getting better every year. The girls in this calendar have done a fantastic job. It’s of international standards and one of the best calendars in the world.”