Vijay Mallya, the former owner of Kingfisher Airlines, has recently made headlines following an appearance on a podcast with Raj Shamani, a well-known content creator. The four-hour-long conversation, Mallya's first public appearance in nine years, has gone viral, drawing millions of views and sparking widespread reactions online. During the podcast, Mallya discussed a range of topics, including the rise and fall of Kingfisher Airlines, his departure from India, and the legacy of the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar.
One of the key topics discussed was the Kingfisher Calendar, a marketing tool that Mallya credited with boosting the brand and launching the careers of several Bollywood actresses. Launched in 2003, the calendar became an annual sensation, featuring glamorous Indian models shot in exotic international locations. Mallya stated that the calendar was a fantastic marketing tool, and that it did wonders for the brand.
When asked about the models who featured in the Kingfisher Calendar and went on to achieve stardom, Mallya proudly said, "Well, because we chose the right girls." He specifically mentioned Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, noting that "we had all the heroines and the stars on the calendar in their younger days.” He emphasized that they "picked well" and chose "the right talent." Katrina Kaif was a part of the Kingfisher Calendar's launch edition in 2003, while Deepika Padukone appeared in it in 2006, before her Bollywood breakthrough in Om Shanti Om. Other notable names who gained fame after appearing in the calendar include Nargis Fakhri, Esha Gupta, Lisa Haydon, Saiyami Kher, and Aishwarya Sushmita. The calendar's success even inspired a Bollywood film, Madhur Bhandarkar's 2015 movie Calendar Girls, which explored the lives and struggles of models in the fashion industry.
In the podcast, Mallya addressed the allegations of fraud and money laundering that he is currently facing, amounting to ₹9,000 crore. He denied any wrongdoing and stated that it was Kingfisher Airlines, not him personally, that borrowed the funds. He also claimed to have made multiple settlement offers to the banks between 2012 and 2015, which were allegedly refused. Mallya further stated that ₹14,000 crore has already been recovered and that he had offered a settlement to the State Bank of India (SBI), which was also rejected. He showed Shamani documents from the Debt Recovery Tribunal in Bengaluru, asserting that he never borrowed a single rupee and was only a guarantor for Kingfisher Airlines' loans.
Regarding his return to India, Mallya said he would consider it only if he were assured of a fair trial and a dignified life, expressing doubts about the current conditions in India. He criticized the Indian media and government for portraying him negatively, stating that he had been turned "from hero to zero." While accepting the label of "fugitive," he rejected being called a "chor" (thief), asserting that his departure from India was a pre-scheduled business trip and not an escape. He also expressed concerns about human rights, referencing other extradition cases where the UK High Court of Appeal ruled that Indian prison conditions violate the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The podcast has sparked a range of reactions online, with some users praising Shamani's interviewing skills and Mallya's candor. Some expressed support for Mallya, with one user commenting, "Mr. Mallya, you will be back in India someday. God is watching you. People will love you again. Faith in God! Still, a lot of your fans are waiting for the Kingfisher calendar launch." The interview has reignited public interest in Mallya's story and the controversies surrounding Kingfisher Airlines.
