Vijay Mallya has reacted emotionally to the success of his podcast interview with YouTuber Raj Shamani, which has crossed 2 crore views in just four days. The podcast marks Mallya’s first extended public conversation in years, discussing Kingfisher Airlines, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and his alleged financial controversies.
Vijay Mallya, the controversial Indian businessman and former owner of Kingfisher Airlines and IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has responded to the overwhelming success of his podcast appearance with YouTuber Raj Shamani. The video, titled “Vijay Mallya Podcast: Rise & Downfall Of Kingfisher Airlines, Loans & RCB,” garnered over 2 crore views on YouTube within just four days.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mallya wrote, “To say that I am humbled and overwhelmed is well short of what I truly feel.” He thanked viewers for watching the 4-hour-long podcast and added, “Fills my heart with joy that my true factual story is being heard.”
This podcast marks Mallya’s first long-format public appearance in nearly a decade. During the conversation, he discussed the rise and collapse of Kingfisher Airlines, his ownership of RCB, and addressed allegations of defrauding Indian banks of over ₹9,000 crore (approximately $1.2 billion).
Mallya, who fled India in 2016 and currently resides in the United Kingdom, continues to be embroiled in legal proceedings over unpaid loans tied to his defunct airline. In the podcast, he denied the accusations, stating, “You may call me a fugitive for not returning to India, but I didn’t run away. I flew on a prescheduled visit.”
He also expressed regret for his former employees, extending a rare apology. Reflecting on his exit from India, he emphasized, “Where is the theft? If you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead. But where is the ‘chori’ (theft)?”
Notably, in February 2025, Mallya told the Karnataka High Court that the ₹6,200 crore owed to banks had already been recovered multiple times through asset liquidation.
Robust public interest in the podcast signals a strong curiosity about the businessman’s side of the story, especially after years of silence and legal battles involving lenders and the Indian government.
For viewers, the podcast remains available on Raj Shamani’s YouTube channel.
Also Read: Banks Recovered Twice the Loan, Says Mallya in Court Filing
