Vijay Mallya Issues Rare Message to Kingfisher Employees, Says “I….”

In a candid podcast appearance after nine years, Vijay Mallya addresses Kingfisher Airlines’ collapse, apologizes to unpaid employees, and questions the “fugitive” label.

London | June 6, 2025 —
In his first major media appearance in nearly a decade, Vijay Mallya has broken his silence on the downfall of Kingfisher Airlines, offering a rare apology to employees who lost their jobs and salaries during the airline’s collapse in 2012.

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Speaking on a podcast hosted by YouTuber Raj Shamani, the embattled businessman said, “I am deeply sorry for what happened to them. I have no excuses to offer. I take full responsibility.” Mallya added that while he made efforts to have employee salaries released through court reserves, his petition was denied by courts and banks.

Kingfisher Airlines, once a premium Indian carrier, was grounded in 2012 due to financial mismanagement and mounting debt. Mallya, accused of alleged loan fraud and defaulting on over ₹9,000 crore, has since lived in the UK and was declared a “fugitive economic offender” by Indian authorities.

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Setting the Record Straight

Mallya shared a snippet of the interview on his X (formerly Twitter) account and 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.”

He also denied the perception that he “ran away” from India. “You may call me a fugitive, but I didn’t run away. I flew on a prescheduled visit. I didn’t return for reasons I consider valid,” he said. “But where is the ‘chor’ coming from?”

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On Return and RCB Legacy

When asked whether he would consider returning to India, Mallya said:

“If I have fair assurance of a fair trial and a dignified existence in India, I will think about it seriously.”

The conversation also touched on his role in founding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and discovering a young Virat Kohli, whom he called “remarkable for staying 18 years with the team.”

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