How Deepika Padukone & Katrina became 'right girls' for Vijay Mallya: "It was gold for Kingfisher calendar"

In a rare and headline-grabbing appearance, fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya sat down for a candid four-hour podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, opening up like never before. From addressing fraud allegations and his life in hiding in the UK to revisiting the cultural legacy of the Kingfisher brand and its iconic calendar, Mallya laid it all bare.

Once known as the ‘King of Good Times,’ Mallya spoke at length about the ventures that defined his flamboyant image, especially the Kingfisher Calendar, which he proudly described as a “brilliant marketing move.” Launched in 2003, the Kingfisher Calendar quickly made waves for its bold presentation and stunning photography, spearheaded by Atul Kasbekar. But what truly stood out was its uncanny knack for identifying future Bollywood stars.

Mallya reminisced about discovering some of India’s biggest names before they became household icons. “We chose the right girls,” he said, citing Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif as standout examples. “They went on to become heroines, stars. We saw something in them early on.” Katrina Kaif appeared in the very first edition in 2003, while Deepika Padukone’s 2006 feature came years before her debut in Om Shanti Om.

Mallya was quick to dismiss the longstanding rumours of personal connections with the models, stating firmly, “It was strictly to the calendar.” For him, the project was all about branding. “It didn’t bring me any personal gain. But for Kingfisher, it was gold,” he said, crediting the calendar’s glamorous and aspirational tone for elevating the brand’s identity.

The podcast didn’t shy away from Mallya’s controversial downfall either. He spoke briefly about the financial crisis that led to the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines, the fraud allegations against him, and his current exile in the UK, though without diving into legal specifics.

Still, what caught the most attention was his clear pride in the cultural impact of the Kingfisher Calendar. Its legacy, he noted, is more than just glossy pages, it was a launchpad for dreams and a platform that introduced the world to India’s future stars.