Vijay Mallya Podcast: Rise & Downfall Of Kingfisher Airlines, Loans & RCB | FO364 Raj Shamani

In this episode, we talk to Vijay Mallya, once known as the King of Good Times, as he opens up about the rise of Kingfisher, the fall that followed, and the personal cost of building an empire that couldn’t survive. We explore how his larger‑than‑life image was built, how flamboyance became a business strategy, and why his father’s legacy shaped every move he made. From airlines and IPL to Formula 1 and luxury lifestyles, Mallya reflects on the choices that defined him. He shares why he believes business failure is seen as fraud in India, why he regrets starting Kingfisher Airlines, and how the media shaped public opinion against him. He also talks about repaying more than he borrowed, the pain of letting go, and the long silence he’s finally breaking. In the final segment, he addresses the question everyone’s been asking—will he return to India?—and in the end, was he a showman, a businessman, or simply misunderstood? 00:00 - Intro 05:20 - First Media Interaction After 9 Years 12:16 - Childhood & Strict Upbringing 29:50 - Building Alcohol Brands 37:16 - Father's Style vs My Style of Doing Business 42:01 - The Flamboyant Vijay Mallya 51:48 - Building Kingfisher: King of Good Times 58:27 - Acquiring Berger Paints 01:03:36 - Relationship with My Mother 01:07:20 - Rise & Fall of Kingfisher Airlines 01:35:00 - Founding Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) 01:45:10 - Formula 1 Journey 01:49:02 - The Iconic Kingfisher Calendar 01:51:12 - My Love for Cars 01:54:36 - Most Expensive Things I Bought 01:59:31 - Turmoil at Kingfisher Airlines 02:16:12 - Traditional Media Backlash & Public Reactions 02:30:08 - Message to Kingfisher Employees 02:38:09 - Misrepresentation & Leaving the Country 03:01:48 - Biggest Challenge of Doing Business in India 03:16:02 - What I’m Doing Now 03:30:10 - Here’s My Justification: Check the Proofs 03:46:56 - I Want to Come Back to India If... 04:16:47 - Documents 04:18:23 - Outro