Vijay Mallya’s Podcast Confession: “I’m Not a Thief, Just Misunderstood”

In a striking media moment, fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya broke his nine-year silence in a detailed conversation with content creator and podcaster Raj Shamani. The two-hour-long interview, aired on YouTube on June 5, 2025, is already a cultural and legal flashpoint. Mallya tackled accusations of fraud, explained his side of the Kingfisher Airlines collapse, and even signaled his willingness to return to India—on conditions.

Watch the full podcast here.

1. Why This Interview Matters

This is Mallya’s first full-length media appearance since leaving India in 2016 amid mounting financial and legal pressures. He is currently wanted under charges of money laundering and defaulting on loans exceeding ₹9,000 crore owed to Indian banks.

Raj Shamani’s interview format, known for diving deep into entrepreneurial journeys and failures, allowed for a wide-ranging and candid conversation.

2. Mallya’s Take on Kingfisher Airlines Collapse

Mallya claimed that the downfall of Kingfisher Airlines wasn’t due to mismanagement but to flawed aviation policies and external economic factors. He alleged:

• High operational costs due to aviation fuel tax inconsistencies across Indian states.

• Lack of support from the banking sector and government, despite his early attempts to restructure loans.

He emphasized infusing over ₹3,000 crore from his holding company, UB Holdings, to rescue the airline and offered multiple loan settlement proposals, all allegedly ignored or declined by Indian banks.

Reference: Indian Express – Mallya’s loan settlement claims

3. Public Apology to Former Employees

Addressing the long-pending issue of unpaid Kingfisher staff salaries, Mallya offered a public apology:

“There is money lying in the Karnataka High Court meant for them… I’m deeply sorry, and take full responsibility.”

He insisted that he never intended to deprive employees of their dues and that legal gridlocks have delayed compensation disbursement.

Read more: LiveMint coverage on apology

4. Refuting the “Chor” Label

One of the most viral moments of the interview was Mallya's strong rebuttal of being labeled a thief:

“You may call me a fugitive… but where is the ‘chor’? Where is the ‘chori’?”

He argued that personal guarantees and financial commitments made in his name prove his intent to repay. He maintains that banking misjudgments, not criminal intent, should be blamed for the default.

5. Criticism of India’s Business Climate

In a significant part of the discussion, Mallya criticized the bureaucratic hurdles faced by Indian entrepreneurs:

• Called the “ease of doing business” in India a “myth”.

• Recalled requiring approvals from 29 different state jurisdictions to operate one airline.

He suggested that the politicization of business in India made it nearly impossible for companies like Kingfisher to survive in crisis.

Reference: Economic Times analysis

6. On Returning to India: Conditions Apply

When asked if he would return to face trial in India, Mallya was cautious but not dismissive:

“I would consider returning if I am guaranteed a fair trial and a dignified existence.”

He cited concerns about prison conditions, referencing UK rulings that had earlier blocked his extradition based on India's jail standards. According to Mallya, Article 21 of the Indian Constitution must be honored to allow a just return.

Related Read: India Today legal coverage

7. Audience & Industry Reaction

The podcast quickly gained traction online, with:

• Millions of views in 48 hours, making it one of Raj Shamani’s most-watched episodes.

• Divided opinions: while some viewers appreciated Mallya’s candor, others slammed him for deflecting blame.

• Comedians and influencers even released satirical responses—some went viral on Twitter and Instagram.

Comedian reaction: TOI on Shubham Gaur's parody

8. Strategic Media Move or Redemption Arc?

The format and timing suggest a deliberate strategy:

• The long-form, low-judgment space of a podcast allowed him to bypass traditional hostile media.

• Mallya controlled the narrative, detailing his version of events over multiple segments.

• The apology and call for a fair trial may be part of a long-term image rehabilitation plan ahead of legal negotiations.

This interview marked a dramatic twist in Vijay Mallya’s years-long legal and public image saga. Whether it successfully sways public opinion or judicial perception is yet to be seen—but it certainly got the country talking. In an era where storytelling and public trust intersect, this might be one of the most critical media moves by a disgraced billionaire in recent Indian memory.