‘My instinct told me…’ Fugitive Vijay Mallya on King Kohli and RCB

Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya is back in the headlines, this time not for court dates or extradition hearings, but for a podcast appearance where he attempted to reframe his narrative. In a wide-ranging conversation, Mallya attempted to defend his conduct, hit out at Indian media, and blamed political vendettas for the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines.

In a more than four-hour-long podcast, Mallya claimed to have been the victim of a “vicious, relentless trial by media” and reduced from “hero to zero” by both political sides. He also asserted that his image as a fraudster has more to do with public perception than proof.

‘RCB was my vision’

While defending himself over Kingfisher’s collapse, Vijay Mallya also revisited his high-stakes IPL plunge revealing how he lost out on Mumbai Indians by “a small margin” before picking up the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise in 2008 for $112 million, the second-highest bid at the time.

Calling IPL a “game-changer”, Mallya said his plan was to create more than a cricket team a lifestyle brand for Bengaluru. “The after-parties, the cheerleaders, the fan engagement it was all deliberate to make RCB the most exciting franchise,” he said.

He tied the team’s identity to his liquor brands Royal Challenge and Kingfisher and described the franchise as a strategic brand play: flashy, bold, and tailored to the city’s cosmopolitan vibe.

Shortly before the selection process, they were playing the U19 World Cup, and I was very impressed. So I picked him. And 18 years later, he’s still there. He was a young kid that time. Full of energy, great talent and (now) one of the greatest Indian cricketers ever.

“My instinct told me he was special,” he said. Kohli, who stayed with RCB for 18 seasons, finally lifted the IPL trophy this week.

Also Read: ‘Wait is over, Ee Sala Cup Namdu’: Netizens explode with joy as RCB finally lift maiden IPL trophy

Mallya called the long-awaited win a dream come true even though he’s been watching from afar.

‘I will think about coming back to India if I’m guaranteed dignity’ says Mallya

Vijay Mallya said he is open to returning to India under certain conditions. He claimed that he did not “run away,” and instead left India for a pre-scheduled meeting, with his passport later revoked by Indian authorities.

“If I’m assured of a fair trial and a dignified existence, I’ll seriously think about returning,” he said. He pointed to UK court observations about prison conditions in India, suggesting that he currently does not feel safe enough to face the Indian judicial system.

Mallya’s statements have raised eyebrows as legal proceedings against him continue in both India and the UK. His extradition has been approved by British courts, but remains delayed, allegedly due to “confidential matters” between the two governments.

Despite his claims of being wronged, the public and the legal system are yet to be convinced that the fugitive tycoon once dubbed the ‘King of Good Times’ is ready to face the music.

Also Read: ‘Where is chori!’: Vijay Mallya’s claim has X in splits, netizens angry and shocked