Vijay Mallya vs. Raj Shamani: an Un-edited, No-filtered

Podcast Interview That Rattled the Internet.

There are not many moments in the world of digital content which can generate such buzz that will be discussed in all social media and in all news sources, as well as on boardroom tables of businesses. Another such moment came when businessman and media producer Raj Shamani welcomed on to his show a long form discussion with the controversial business magnate Vijay Mallya. This is the episode that was turned into one of the most discussed podcasts of the year not only due to the popularity of Mallya but the uncooked honesty and unconventional wisdom that was revealed in the course of the discussion.

The article presents the news, the themes, the effect, and the reaction of the people on this unexpected interview - the one which united two absolutely different worlds: the young, daring voice of new-age entrepreneurship in India, and the old, controversial figure of a once-renowned business magnate.

A Meeting of Contrasts

Raj Shamani has based his brand on a single promise that is to get the entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers into the limelight in a youth-focused format that is relatable. He typically focuses his podcasts on success stories, plight, financial savvy and personal philosophy. However, the idea of inviting Vijay Mallya who is a former King of Good Times was a shocking move that immediately drew notice.

Mallya, who was once a hero of his lavish life and huge business conglomerate in the aviation, liquor, sporting and other industries, has since been hit by dramatic legal issues and a financial scandal. Due to this fact, he is seldom found in social discussions. Thus, the podcast was an unusual experience of listening to his opinion without any filters.

This antithesis of the Indian entrepreneurship of the past, with all its dangers, and the Indian entrepreneurship of the present, with all its dangers, in the person of Raj and Mallya respectively, caused the conversation to take its natural hook.

The Storytelling Approach

Raj Shamani did not take the interview form as an interrogation but rather as a narrative process. He did not dramatize the scandals, but concentrated on the inquiries which enabled Mallya to clarify his attitude, entrepreneurial choices, frustrations, and disappointments. It was a glimpse into the emotional and psychological world of one of the most controversial businessmen in India, to the listeners.

The episode touched on some of the most important themes, which included:

1. Childhood Dreams and Making an Empire.

Mallya discussed his fact of succeeding the United Breweries Group when he was only in his twenties, as he was filling the position of his father. His risky moves, combative acquisitions, and lust-to-have items all painted the picture of an entrepreneur who was at the scale instead of the caution.

2. Kingfisher Airlines Rise and Fall.

This was a highlight of this discussion. Mallya explained how he had a passion of starting a premium airline and the hurdles that would later translate to its failure. He cited a conflict in the cost of fuel, government policy and issues with funding- some of the information none of his listeners had ever heard directly in his own words.

3. Regret, Responsibility and Reflection.

The most influential scenes were probably those when Mallya thought about some of the things that he would do differently. He did not try to present himself as an innocent man, but rather made the acknowledgment of some of his inefficiencies along with emphasizing that things were more complicated than depicted on the mainstream news.

4. Personal Reality Public Image.

Mallya also talked about how his lifestyle was magnified by the media at the expense of his business success and philanthropic activities. This part made him a human to the listeners who had only read the headlines, and not the man underneath the headlines.

Raj Shamani’s Role as a Host

The tone of the conversation was respectful, but effective, as Raj was neutral, calm, and said genuinely interesting things. He did not deal with drama-based questions and emphasized on business lessons concealed within the journey of Mallya. This ensured that this episode was not just an interview but a case study on entrepreneurship, risk, leadership, and crisis management.

To young entrepreneurs, Raj put the lessons of Mallya into practical lessons- like learning the nature of debt, building a business at a pace that will last and how to maintain the perception of the business in pace with the business strategy.

Why the Episode Went Viral

• The podcast was a wildfire due to:
• Vijay Mallya does not talk much.
• The viewer base of Raj consists of millions of young Indians who wonder about entrepreneurship.
• The episode was composed of both controversial content and informed content.
• Videos of the discussion could be shared right away.
• It revived the controversy on risk-taking in Indian b

Vijay Mallya’s Claim: Banks Have Recovered More Than the Loan Amount

Vijay Mallya has recently approached the Karnataka High Court with a major claim: the banks have already recovered far more money than he ever owed, and therefore, he should not be considered a defaulter anymore.

1. Mallya’s Court Petition

In February 2025, Mallya filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court. In his petition, he stated that banks must present a clear, transparent statement of accounts showing how much they have recovered from him, United Breweries Holdings Limited (UBHL), and other associated debtors.

He argues that the banks’ recovery figures are inconsistent and need to be officially clarified.

2. His Claim About Recovery Figures

According to Mallya:

• The Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) had fixed the total loan amount and liability at approximately ₹6,200 crore.

• However, the banks have claimed to recover around ₹10,200 crore, as per a recovery officer’s statement.

• He also referred to a statement made in Parliament, mentioning that banks recovered ₹14,131 crore worth of assets linked to him, which is more than double the amount he owed.

3. Demand to Stop Further Charges

Mallya’s legal team argued that if banks have already recovered the entire loan amount — and even more — then:

• No more interest should be charged.

• The banks should officially acknowledge that the debt stands cleared.

• UBHL, which was liquidated as a guarantor, should have no remaining liability and should be considered for revival under the law.

4. Court’s Response

The Karnataka High Court has taken his petition seriously and issued notices to multiple banks, including SBI and nine other lenders. The court has asked them to:

• Provide detailed replies,

• Explain how much money has been recovered,

• Clarify the ownership of assets used for loan recovery,

• Present accurate and transparent financial documents.

This indicates that the court is willing to examine his claims closely.

5. Ongoing Debate

Mallya’s claims have caused major public and legal discussion. Some people believe:

• If the banks truly recovered more than 100% of the loan amount, then he deserves relief.

Others argue:

• The final numbers need proper verification, and such claims should be examined strictly by the court.

Mallya has also stated that based on the recovered amount, he is entitled to relief and closure of the case.

Kingfisher Tower in Bengaluru is one of the most iconic and luxurious residential skyscrapers ever created in India. Built as part of the UB City complex, the tower was designed to be the personal empire of Vijay Mallya — a symbol of wealth, status, and power.

The top floors were reserved entirely for Mallya’s private mansion in the sky — a 40,000 sq. ft. ultra-luxury penthouse with a private swimming pool, helipad access, lavish interiors, and views of the entire city. It was meant to be his permanent home, showcasing his flamboyant lifestyle.

But when Kingfisher Airlines collapsed, banks began pursuing him for crores in unpaid loans. As legal pressure increased, Kingfisher Tower became one of the major assets under scrutiny. Parts of the tower linked to Mallya’s companies were attached by banks to recover dues. The penthouse he once dreamed of living in was never officially handed over, and the tower became a symbol of his fall from power.

Today, Kingfisher Tower still stands as a luxury residential building, home to business tycoons and celebrities — but the floors meant for Vijay Mallya remain frozen in legal battles, a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.