🧨 Introduction: A Voice That Went Silent
After nearly a decade of silence, Vijay Mallya—once a flamboyant billionaire and now one of India’s most polarizing fugitives—finally broke his silence in an explosive appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast “Figuring Out.”
The nearly four-hour-long episode, released in June 2025, sent shockwaves across India and the global business community. In it, Mallya opens up about his rise, his fall, the legal storm surrounding him, the Kingfisher Airlines debacle, and his much-talked-about connection with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
This is not just a podcast episode—this is a public reckoning, a rebranding attempt, and a direct message to those who, in Mallya’s words, “judged me before hearing me.”
🎙️ Setting the Stage: Raj Shamani Gets the Scoop
Raj Shamani, one of India’s fastest-growing entrepreneurial voices and content creators, is known for interviewing powerful minds, but this episode set a new benchmark. With over 10 million followers across platforms, Raj has hosted CEOs, creators, and policymakers—but Vijay Mallya’s appearance marked a cultural moment.
Dressed in his signature style, Mallya appeared calm, confident, and unapologetically outspoken. His tone was measured but firm, often laced with frustration toward the Indian legal system, media portrayal, and public perception.
🧩 A Deep Dive: What Mallya Said
🔺 1. “I’m Not a Thief”: The ₹6,000 Crore Question
At the heart of the controversy surrounding Mallya is the accusation that he wilfully defaulted on loans worth ₹6,203 crore. In the podcast, he directly challenges that claim:
“The Debt Recovery Tribunal says I owe ₹6,000 crore. But the banks—thanks to asset recovery by the Enforcement Directorate—have already recovered ₹14,000+ crore. So where is the loss?”
This was one of the most explosive claims in the podcast, and it instantly became headline news.
Mallya insisted that he had no intention to flee justice, but rather felt he had no chance at a fair trial in the “media court of India.”
🔺 2. Kingfisher Airlines: A Dream That Crashed
Mallya did not dodge accountability for the failure of Kingfisher Airlines, but he did attempt to reframe it.
“I believed in a dream—India’s best airline. But no airline can fly with global fuel prices sky-high and no government support.”
He went on to criticize India’s hostile aviation environment, pointing out that even Jet Airways and Go First also collapsed despite different business models.
He also mentioned how personal guarantees tied to Kingfisher loans were “unusual and unreasonable,” arguing that his assets were used to cover corporate losses unfairly.
🔺 3. IPL and RCB: The Story Behind the Bids
For sports fans, Mallya’s discussion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his role in buying RCB was one of the most fascinating segments.
“I wanted to buy Mumbai Indians first, but I was outbid. RCB was next—and I turned it into a global brand.”
He reminisced about signing players like Virat Kohli and the electric atmosphere of early IPL seasons. Despite being forced to step back, he said RCB will always be “my team.”
Interestingly, he praised how RCB has grown over the years and expressed pride in how “the brand outlived the headlines.”
🔺 4. On Legal Battles and Extradition
Mallya was cautious but assertive when discussing his ongoing legal issues and attempts by Indian authorities to extradite him from the UK.
“I’ve always complied with the law. I submitted all documents, attended every hearing. But what more can I do when the system is rigged to make me a villain?”
He questioned why, if banks have recovered more than owed, he is still being pursued. “It’s not justice—it’s revenge,” he said.
🔥 The Internet Reacts: From Viral Clips to Satirical Memes
Social media platforms exploded following the podcast’s release. Twitter (now known as X) and Instagram were filled with:
- Video clips of Mallya challenging narratives
- Public polls asking “Do you believe him?”
- Satirical memes, especially one from comedian Shubham Gaur, joking that “We should return money to Mallya!”—a line that instantly went viral.
The sentiment was mixed. Some viewed it as a calculated PR move, while others appreciated the transparency after years of silence.
🤖 Image Control or Redemption Arc?
Critics argue that this podcast was nothing more than an image control exercise, especially with no new legal developments in Mallya’s case. But others saw it differently:
- Some financial experts believe Mallya raised valid points about the Indian banking system’s aggressive tactics.
- Younger audiences, unfamiliar with the full timeline, found his side of the story compelling.
🧠 Raj Shamani: More Than Just a Host
For Raj Shamani, this podcast wasn’t just another interview. It was a journalistic breakthrough.
His ability to keep Mallya talking without interruption, his neutral tone, and his direct but respectful questions earned him massive credibility. The episode crossed 15 million views within a week, making it the most-watched Indian podcast episode of 2025.
📌 Main Talking Points (Summary)
- Vijay Mallya claims banks recovered ₹14,000+ crore—more than he owed
- Says Kingfisher Airlines collapsed due to market conditions, not mismanagement
- Tried to buy Mumbai Indians, ended up with RCB
- Denies being a fugitive or “thief”; calls it media-driven character assassination
- Podcast with Raj Shamani goes viral, sparking intense debate
🧾 Final Thoughts: More Than a Comeback?
Vijay Mallya’s appearance on the “Figuring Out” podcast marks more than just a rare public statement. It’s a strategic reintroduction to public life—a bid to control the narrative after years of silence and speculation.
Whether or not India believes him, the fact remains: he has spoken, and millions have listened.
In the digital age, attention is currency—and Mallya just cashed in big.
📣 Your Take?
Do you think Vijay Mallya made valid points? Or was this a carefully scripted image recovery attempt?
Let’s talk in the comments 👇
