“Call Me a Fugitive, Not a Thief : I’m Not a Chor” — Mallya Hits Back at Public Perception
Nidhi | Jun 06, 2025, 13:02 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau, Timeslife )
After nine years of silence, fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya finally speaks out in a podcast interview. From blaming the global financial crisis for the fall of Kingfisher Airlines to issuing a public apology to his employees, Mallya attempts to shift the narrative. But while he says he’s “not a chor,” India isn’t convinced. Here’s everything he revealed—and why it matters.
Nine years of silence. ₹9,000 crore in fraud allegations. One podcast. And a thousand questions.
Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya—once the flamboyant face of Kingfisher Airlines, the IPL, and India's luxury image—has finally broken his long silence. In a rare and widely watched appearance on a podcast hosted by YouTuber Raj Shamani, Mallya spoke out about the collapse of his airline, the loans that turned into a national scandal, and his ongoing life in exile in the United Kingdom.
The podcast marks his first public conversation in nearly a decade, and comes at a time when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the IPL team he founded, has just won its first-ever title—sparking renewed curiosity around the man who once owned its red and gold.
But this wasn’t just nostalgia. This was Mallya’s attempt to rewrite the narrative—from “chor” to “scapegoat.”
And the country is listening. But not everyone is convinced. 
In the hour-long conversation, Mallya dropped several explosive claims:
Mallya claimed that when Kingfisher Airlines started struggling, he approached then-Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to downsize operations—fewer aircraft, layoffs, and cost-cutting.
“I was told not to downsize. That the banks would continue to support me. That’s how it all started,” he said.
In a rare moment of humility, Mallya apologized to former staff who lost jobs and unpaid salaries:
“I am deeply sorry for what happened to them. I take full responsibility.”
He added that attempts to release funds to pay staff were blocked by the courts. Addressing his most infamous label, Mallya said:
“Call me a fugitive, fair enough. But where is the ‘chor’ coming from? I didn’t steal anything. I flew out on a pre-scheduled flight.”
He emphasized that while he has not returned to India since 2016, he never fled under secrecy.
He pointed to the global financial crisis of 2008, saying it dried up capital and crushed capital-heavy sectors like aviation.
“Every sector was hit. The money stopped. The rupee crashed. Kingfisher was collateral damage.”
Mallya asserted that Indian banks have recovered far more than the ₹6,200 crore he allegedly owed. He demanded a full audit and claimed:
“All my assets have been liquidated. Banks got their money. And more.” Mallya hinted at returning to India—if the government can assure him of a fair and dignified trial.
“I will think seriously about coming back if I get that assurance." 
Vijay Mallya is facing charges of fraud, money laundering, and willful default related to unpaid loans worth over ₹9,000 crore taken by Kingfisher Airlines from a consortium of Indian banks led by State Bank of India (SBI).
Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate and CBI revealed that Mallya allegedly diverted funds, failed to repay loans, and then quietly left the country for the UK in 2016. His extradition has been fought in UK courts ever since.
In 2018, he was declared a “Fugitive Economic Offender”, the first under India’s newly enacted law at the time. His properties were seized, his businesses dismantled, and Kingfisher became a case study in financial mismanagement and regulatory failure.
The image of Mallya watching Formula 1 races in Monaco while his employees protested outside airports became the defining portrait of India’s elite escaping accountability. In this new version of the story, Mallya claims:
While Mallya’s attempt to reclaim his narrative is drawing attention, the public remains sharply divided. His post on X (formerly Twitter) triggered a storm of reactions:
“If so, why afraid of facing trial?”
“SBI wants to know your location, buddy…”
“Too late! Just because RCB won IPL you think we’ll believe this baseless story?”
“Just comeback man. Fight the government if you’re innocent.”
“Wow! It’s a movie.”
“Still waiting for SBI to respond.”
The underlying sentiment? Words are not enough. India wants accountability. This podcast wasn’t just a media comeback. It was Mallya’s attempt to reset the narrative—to go from fugitive tycoon to misunderstood entrepreneur. Whether it succeeds depends on what he does next.
Will he return to India and face trial?
Will the government or banks respond to his claims?
Or is this too little, too late?
What’s clear is this: nine years later, Vijay Mallya has finally spoken. But the nation still isn’t done asking questions.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya—once the flamboyant face of Kingfisher Airlines, the IPL, and India's luxury image—has finally broken his long silence. In a rare and widely watched appearance on a podcast hosted by YouTuber Raj Shamani, Mallya spoke out about the collapse of his airline, the loans that turned into a national scandal, and his ongoing life in exile in the United Kingdom.
The podcast marks his first public conversation in nearly a decade, and comes at a time when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the IPL team he founded, has just won its first-ever title—sparking renewed curiosity around the man who once owned its red and gold.
But this wasn’t just nostalgia. This was Mallya’s attempt to rewrite the narrative—from “chor” to “scapegoat.”
And the country is listening. But not everyone is convinced.
What Vijay Mallya Revealed on the Podcast
Vijay Mallya moves Karnataka HC seeking loan recovery details, banks issued notice.
( Image credit : IANS )
1. “Don’t Downsize, Banks Will Support You” — Mallya Blames the Government
“I was told not to downsize. That the banks would continue to support me. That’s how it all started,” he said.
2. “I Take Full Responsibility” — Apology to Kingfisher Employees
“I am deeply sorry for what happened to them. I take full responsibility.”
He added that attempts to release funds to pay staff were blocked by the courts.
3. “Call Me a Fugitive, Not a Thief — I’m Not a Chor”
“Call me a fugitive, fair enough. But where is the ‘chor’ coming from? I didn’t steal anything. I flew out on a pre-scheduled flight.”
He emphasized that while he has not returned to India since 2016, he never fled under secrecy.
4. “Lehman Brothers Sank Me Too” — Blames 2008 Global Crash
“Every sector was hit. The money stopped. The rupee crashed. Kingfisher was collateral damage.”
5. “The Banks Got Their Money Back — Multiple Times Over”
“All my assets have been liquidated. Banks got their money. And more.”
6. “I’ll Come Back If There’s a Fair Trial”
“I will think seriously about coming back if I get that assurance."
The Fraud That Shocked India
Vijay Mallya
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate and CBI revealed that Mallya allegedly diverted funds, failed to repay loans, and then quietly left the country for the UK in 2016. His extradition has been fought in UK courts ever since.
In 2018, he was declared a “Fugitive Economic Offender”, the first under India’s newly enacted law at the time. His properties were seized, his businesses dismantled, and Kingfisher became a case study in financial mismanagement and regulatory failure.
The image of Mallya watching Formula 1 races in Monaco while his employees protested outside airports became the defining portrait of India’s elite escaping accountability.
Now He Says… “There Was No Chori”
- He never intended to defraud anyone.
- The government and banking system encouraged him to keep going.
- Global economic forces—not greed—crushed his empire.
- Courts and banks blocked his efforts to repay dues and pay staff.
Netizens React: ‘Come Back and Prove It’
Fraud
( Image credit : Pexels )
“If so, why afraid of facing trial?”
“SBI wants to know your location, buddy…”
“Too late! Just because RCB won IPL you think we’ll believe this baseless story?”
“Just comeback man. Fight the government if you’re innocent.”
“Wow! It’s a movie.”
“Still waiting for SBI to respond.”
The underlying sentiment? Words are not enough. India wants accountability.
So, What Now?
Will he return to India and face trial?
Will the government or banks respond to his claims?
Or is this too little, too late?
What’s clear is this: nine years later, Vijay Mallya has finally spoken. But the nation still isn’t done asking questions.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!