It was more than an interview—it was a crossover no one knew they needed. On one side, a flamboyant tycoon. On the other, a sharp-witted millennial podcaster. And between them: four hours of explosive revelations.
1. The Players in the Spotlight
Vijay Mallya — once India’s richest playboy-prince, defender of India’s first global beverage empire and IPL team owner—has been in exile since 2016, accused of financial fraud worth ₹9,000+ crore.
Now called a “fugitive,” he insists he’s not a thief and remains staunchly critical of Indian law enforcement.
Raj Shamani — a 20-something entrepreneur, author, and social media creator, known for undaunting interview style and polished questioning.
His “Figuring Out” podcast is the new gold standard platform for honest, in-depth conversations.
2. Why This Podcast Was More Than Just Talking
After nine years in hiding, Mallya choosing a millennial-led podcast over mainstream media sends a powerful message: he wanted control.
Shamani offered that—no filters, interesting follow-up, and viral friendliness.
The result? A four-and-a-third-hour dialogue that’s part confession, part hostage negotiation, part detective thriller.
3. Who Asked Better Questions?
Raj Shamani, trained to push, probe, and persist, asked the hard-hitting questions:
- “Did you flee India?”
- “Will you come back?”
- “Where exactly did ₹14,000 crore go?”
It was direct, professional, and fierce—reminding viewers he wasn’t there for PR fluff. He pressed Mallya to explain bolder claims—like comparison of ₹6,200 crore owed versus ₹14,000 crore allegedly recovered.
Mallya defended himself with suave aplomb, quoting UK courts, blaming bureaucracy, and injecting Shakespearean drama.
He didn’t dodge; he spun—and answered. But at times, amicability overshadowed legal rigor.
4. The Signature Soundbites: Memorable Moments
- Shamani: “Why haven’t you returned?”
Mallya: “If I have a fair trial and dignity… I will think seriously.” - Shamani: “Are you a fugitive or a thief?”
Mallya: “Call me a fugitive, not a chor… where is the chori?”
The interaction felt like legal theater, with the host’s question as opening argument and Mallya’s defense shot through dramatic flair.
5. Tone & Style Face-Off
Shamani’s style is modern, calm, concise, and digitized. No glare, no theatrics. He let Mallya talk—and subtly made space for public outrage and skeptical fact-checks to surface via listeners.
Mallya’s aura was theatrical. He joked about needing the “good graces of 29 Chief Ministers,” blamed the 2008 financial crisis, and dramatically referenced UK human rights rulings to justify staying abroad .
Together, they struck a rhythm: Shamani with precision; Mallya with flamboyance.
6. The Public Reaction Symphony
Supportive Chorus:
- A wave of appreciators called it “raw honesty” and “final Mallya monologue.”
- Viewers praised Shamani for giving Mallya a chance to speak without interruptions.
Critics’ Chorus:
- Skeptics called it a calculated PR coup.
- Analysts pointed out Mallya’s logic flaw: ₹14k crore “recovered” vs ₹6.2k owed lacks clarity. Banks, not voluntary, enforced this via courts.
- Memers had a field day. One comedian quipped—“we need the SBI on podcast next” .
7. Did We Learn Something New?
Mallya’s Reflections:
- Apology to 20,000 Kingfisher employees
- Blamed Lehman effect, bureaucratic rigidity, political interference
- Claimed no intention of outright theft
- Admitted regret, loneliness, guilt
Shamani’s Takeaway:
- Host got him to say “I’m a fugitive,” not a felon
- Clearly showed Mallya’s willingness to return under conditions
- Pressed hard on money discrepancies and treatment of staff
Together the podcast revealed much—but also masked more. It was fact-meets-PR face to face.
8. Who Won?
| Measure | Raj Shamani | Vijay Mallya |
|---|---|---|
| Control of narrative | strong | strong |
| Public sympathy? | moderate | mixed |
| Clarity on money? | partial | ambiguous |
| Ready for trial? | – | conditional |
9. Bigger Implications
- For media: Podcasts are now powerful news platforms—able to draw hidden figures out of exile.
- For fugitives: Personal storytelling is becoming their weapon—softening public perception before legal battles land.
- For India-UK relations: Statements like “fair trial promise” and citing UK legal rulings add fuel to extradition debates.
Mallya’s gambit: use public sentiment to pressure courts. Shamani’s victory? Turning a fugitive defense into public discourse.
In the end, this podcast was a full-circle drama:
- Shamani: The calm inquisition, the voice of modern accountability, the question that cut through ceilings of privilege.
- Mallya: The theatrical comeback, the businessman with all the lines, testing every boundary.
Call it a modern play: Act One—Shamani asks; Act Two—Mallya defends; Act Three—India and the world decide who won the debate.
Vijay Mallya finally spoke—calling himself a fugitive, not a thief, apologizing to ex-employees, blaming bureaucracy, and claiming banks recovered more than he owed.
Raj Shamani, with quiet force, got him to say every controversial statement without drama.
Together, they created a powerful dialogue that’s still echoing in courts, meme pages, and social media feeds.
