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Vijay Mallya ‘sets record straight’ with rare message for employees who lost their jobs in Kingfisher crash

In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Vijay Mallya discussed, among other things, the rise of Kingfisher Airlines and its subsequent fall.

Updated on: Jun 6, 2025, 06:21:48 IST
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Vijay Mallya, in a recent podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, offered a rare and public apology to his former employees while addressing the fall of Kingfisher Airlines. However, he strongly denied any allegations against him, adding that he has paid his dues.

Vijay Mallya’s former airline, Kingfisher Airlines, faced severe financial issues, which led to its closure in 2012. (AFP)
Vijay Mallya’s former airline, Kingfisher Airlines, faced severe financial issues, which led to its closure in 2012. (AFP)

The businessman accused of alleged bank loan fraud shared a snippet of the interview on his X profile. In the video, Shamani asks Mallya, “What would you say to them who lost their jobs? Who still holds angst against you?”

Also Read: Lalit Modi credits ‘good friend’ Vijay Mallya for backing IPL from the start: ‘You may have your bias’

Mallya replies, “I would say I am deeply sorry for what happened to them. I would say that I am deeply sorry that some of them didn’t get paid their salaries.” He continues, “I have no excuses to offer. I take full responsibility.”

In another post on his X profile, Mallya wrote, "For those who are interested, I have spoken for the first time in nine years on this podcast. I want to say sorry to employees of Kingfisher Airlines and also to set the record straight with facts and the truth.

In the podcast, Mallya opened up about his first media appearance after nine years, the rise and fall of Kingfisher, and founding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Also Read: Vijay Mallya recalls picking Virat Kohli for RCB as a youngster: ‘Remarkable he stayed for 18 years’

When asked if he would consider returning to India, he said, “If I have a fair assurance of a fair trial and dignified existence in India, I will think about it seriously."

While discussing the fugitive label against him, the businessman expressed, " You may call me a fugitive, but I didn’t run away. I flew on a prescheduled visit. Fair enough, I didn’t return for reasons that I consider valid… so if you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead. But where is the ‘chor’ coming from? Where is the ‘choir’?”

 
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Trisha Sengupta

Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.

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