While Mallya defends himself and hints at returning to India, social media is torn between nostalgia, outrage, and disbelief.
By PC Bureau | June 6, 2025
Fugitive Indian businessman Vijay Mallya’s candid four-hour podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, released on Thursday, June 5, 2025, has set social media ablaze, drawing reactions from prominent figures like Lalit Modi and Harsh Goenka, as well as a torrent of responses from the public. In the episode, Mallya addressed the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines, his legal battles, and his potential return to India—reigniting debates about his legacy, accountability, and the fairness of his treatment by Indian authorities. Hailed by some as a bold tell-all and dismissed by others as a self-serving narrative, the podcast has sharply divided opinion.
Lalit Modi’s Supportive Stance
Lalit Modi, the controversial founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a fellow fugitive living in the UK, was quick to weigh in on Mallya’s podcast. On the day of its release, Modi took to X to praise Mallya’s contributions to the IPL, especially his role as the former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In a post, Modi wrote:
“How did my good friend #vijaymallya buy @royalchallengers.bengaluru team in the @iplt20 I created? Hear from the man himself. He was the first person to support me making the #ipl blindly… One must give credit where credit is due.”
How did my good friend #vijaymallya buy @royalchallengers.bengaluru team in the @iplt20 I created. Hear from the man himself. He was the first person to support me making the #ipl blindly. Also was its biggest sponsor and has since day one been its most loyal ardent fan and… pic.twitter.com/Z7XInCSBrg
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) June 5, 2025
Mallya replied with a succinct “Thank you Lalit,” reinforcing their long-standing camaraderie.
This exchange echoed a similar interaction from Mallya’s 69th birthday in December 2024, when Modi wished him well:
“Wishing you my friend #vijaymallya a very #happybirthday – life sure has its ups and downs. We have both seen it. This too shall pass.”
Mallya had responded:
“Thank you my dearest friend…. We both have been wronged in a country we tried to contribute to,”
—a sentiment that drew significant backlash at the time. That notion of being “wronged” by India resurfaced in reactions to the podcast, with many netizens accusing the duo of deflecting responsibility for their alleged financial misdeeds.
READ: Vijay Mallya Breaks Silence: “I’m No Thief” – Talks Kingfisher, Extradition, Return
Modi’s vocal support of Mallya has amplified perceptions of a bond between two embattled tycoons—both facing allegations of financial wrongdoing. While Modi has been accused of money laundering and tax evasion linked to the IPL, Mallya is wanted for defaulting on over ₹9,000 crore in loans. Critics on X dubbed their exchange “Chor Chor Mausere Bhai” (thieves are cousins), reflecting widespread skepticism.
Harsh Goenka’s Defense and Mallya’s Response
Industrialist Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, also reacted to the broader discourse around Mallya, although his comments were not directly tied to the podcast. On June 5, Goenka posted on X, questioning why Mallya remains a “political punching bag” even after reports suggest his dues of over ₹9,000 crore have been settled.
“Vijay Mallya lived the high life, yes. Defaulted, yes. Unlike most others, his ₹9,000+ crore dues are now reportedly settled. Meanwhile, bigger defaulters walk free with much fatter haircuts from banks. If dues remain, the banks should clearly say so. If not, why is he still a political punching bag? Justice must be fair, not selective,” Goenka wrote.
Mallya’s Tell-All Podcast Triggers Praise and Backlash
Mallya swiftly responded, thanking Goenka and reiterating his claim that banks had recovered ₹14,100 crore against a Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) judgment of ₹6,203 crore.
“Why the blatant discrimination?” Mallya asked—reaffirming his podcast narrative that he has been unfairly targeted.
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Though Goenka’s post came a day before the podcast release, it was widely referenced in online discussions, as it aligned with Mallya’s recurring defense that the recovery of funds exceeding his adjudged debt should entitle him to relief.
Goenka’s stance drew mixed reactions. Some users agreed, arguing that Mallya’s case has been disproportionately highlighted compared to other defaulters. Others countered that his assets were forcibly seized, not repaid voluntarily.
“Vijay Mallya didn’t repay out of goodwill. His assets were seized and auctioned after years of dodging Indian courts and living lavishly in the UK,” one user wrote.
Public Reactions: A Mix of Anger, Mockery, and Support
The public’s response to the podcast was a volatile mix of outrage, sarcasm, and—among a few—sympathy. Many expressed anger over Mallya’s refusal to fully apologise for the Kingfisher Airlines debacle, which left thousands of employees unpaid and banks saddled with losses. In the podcast, Mallya expressed regret for unpaid salaries but resisted broader contrition:
“Apologetic? What do I apologise for? After putting ₹3,000 crore of my own money into the business, I should apologise?”
This defiance sparked sharp criticism.
How did my good friend #vijaymallya buy @royalchallengers.bengaluru team in the @iplt20 I created. Hear from the man himself. He was the first person to support me making the #ipl blindly. Also was its biggest sponsor and has since day one been its most loyal ardent fan and… pic.twitter.com/Z7XInCSBrg
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) June 5, 2025
One X user, @BoregowdaShivar, wrote:
“Have you both forgotten the graveyard of 7000 Kingfisher employees who perished because of your mismanagement?”
Others resorted to dark humor. @Alpakanya posted a GIF captioned “Na sharam, na lihaz” (no shame, no regard), while @CA_AkashSingroli quipped:
“We got Vijay Mallya tweeting on an SBI working day before GTA 6.”
The phrase “Chor Chor Mausere Bhai” resurfaced across posts, particularly after Mallya’s interaction with Lalit Modi, underscoring public frustration with their perceived lack of accountability.
Still, a smaller segment of users expressed support. @Sadistic__Soul called it “the longest & surely the best podcast I have seen yet,” recommending viewers watch it at 1.5x speed. @Memergirl__ said Mallya “revealed his entire truth” and showed how he was “framed,” though such claims remain unverified and contentious. Nevertheless, the podcast went viral, with clips widely circulated and drawing both praise and scorn.
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Podcast Content: Collapse, Claims, and Return
In the podcast, Mallya discussed Kingfisher’s collapse, blaming it on high fuel prices, cut-throat competition, and bureaucratic red tape. He acknowledged the “fugitive” tag but rejected being called a thief.
Citing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s December 2024 statement that ₹14,131.6 crore had been recovered from him, he emphasized that the amount far exceeded the DRT judgment debt of ₹6,203 crore.
He also stated his willingness to return to India—“if assured a fair trial”—but cited a UK court ruling on Indian prison conditions as a roadblock to extradition.
A Polarizing Discourse
The reactions to Mallya’s podcast reflect a deep divide. For some—like Modi and Goenka—he is a victim of selective justice and political targeting. For others, especially the public and former Kingfisher employees, the podcast served as a reminder of unpaid dues and unacknowledged harm. His presence at son Sidhartha Mallya’s lavish wedding at a $14 million UK estate in June 2024 continues to inflame criticism.
As one user, @isrivastavas, posted:
“Listening to Vijay Mallya’s podcast left me with a mix of sadness and frustration. His apology to Kingfisher employees feels genuine, but the bigger question is whether justice will ever be served.”
Whether the podcast influences Mallya’s legal future remains to be seen. But what’s clear is this: the man once hailed as the “King of Good Times” has returned to the public stage—and the debate around him is far from over
