Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya on Tuesday expressed gratitude at the “overwhelming” response to his recently aired podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani. Taking to X, Mallya thanked the public after the four-hour-long podcast garnered over 20 million views in just four days.
“A big heartfelt thank you to all those who took the time to watch my four hour plus podcast with Raj Shamani… 20 million views on YouTube alone in 4 days and god knows how many more reposts on Instagram and Facebook fills my heart with joy that my true factual story is being heard [sic],” the London-based businessman said.
To say that I am humbled and overwhelmed is well short of what I truly feel. A big heartfelt thank you to all those who took the time to watch my 4 hour plus podcast with @rajshamani 20 million views on YouTube alone in 4 days and god knows how many more reposts on Instagram and…
Mallya's podcast with Shamani has gone viral on the Internet, where the founder of Kingfisher Airlines is seen sharing his side of the story. Mallya, who fled India in 2016, is accused in a bank loan default case of over Rs 9,000 crore involving the now-defunct airlines.
In the podcast, Mallya tells Shamani that people may call him a fugitive, but he is not a thief. His firms, including United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd, are facing investigations by the ED, CBI and SEBI for fraud, money laundering and for misusing loans from Indian banks.
While the podcast has received significant views, Mallya has also faced criticism for allegedly trying to “whitewash” his image. His X post, with over one million impressions, has received over 1,400 comments and more than 32,000 likes.
"Please send Raj Shamani's contact details to me via private message (DM). Seeing how your sins have been washed away, even Lankesh is now willing to join his podcast," read a satirical comment, referring to the demon king Ravana from the epic Ramayana.
नमस्कार मित्र विजय,
कृपया आप @rajshamani की संपर्क जानकारी मुझे निजी संदेश (DM) द्वारा प्रेषित करें।आप के धुले हुए पापों को देखकर, पिताश्री लंकेश भी उनके पॉडकास्ट में सहभागिता करने के इच्छुक हैं।
सादर।Many social media users have also criticised Shamani for providing a platform to Mallya, without addressing the harm caused by his actions. Notably, several Kingfisher Airlines staff had died by suicide after the airline went defunct.
However, the comments section of Shamani's podcast also showed strong support for Mallya, with many viewers praising the episode as a platform to hear “both sides” of the story.
While the Indian government has been trying to extradite Mallya from the UK for his trial, the fugitive liquor baron told Shamani that he would “seriously consider” returning to India if he is assured a fair trial and a dignified life.
Among many luxuries, Mallya is also the former owner of the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His podcast with Shamani came two days after RCB won their maiden IPL trophy on June 3.
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