Vijay Mallya asserts that he used Kingfisher Calendar to launch Deepika and Katrina
The media has once again focused on controversial businessman Vijay Mallya, who is currently living in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom. This time, he made the audacious claim that his now-defunct Kingfisher Calendar helped launch the careers of Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. Mallya made the comment during his very first podcast interview with businessman Raj Shamani, in which he talked extensively about his empire, the history of the calendar, and his legal issues.
“The Correct Talent Was Selected”: Mallya
Mallya expressed pride in the platform for “discovering and launching” some of India’s most dazzling and prosperous women as he reflected on the Kingfisher Calendar. “Well, because we chose the right girls,” he said, referring specifically to Deepika and Katrina. We had all of the actresses and celebrities on the calendar when they were younger, whether it was Katrina Kaif or Deepika Padukone.
“We picked well, we picked the right talent,” he added. Online, these remarks provoked a mixture of criticism and nostalgia. Some commended the calendar’s impact on the fashion industry, while others charged Mallya with exaggerating his part in the actresses’ success.
The Magnificent Heritage of the Kingfisher Calendar
When the Kingfisher Calendar was introduced in 2003, it immediately came to represent elegance, luxury, and high fashion. The calendar, photographed by renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar and featuring models in far-flung locales, was mostly seen as a springboard into the spotlight. It served as a springboard for modelling and film careers, not merely a picture shoot.
A year before making her Bollywood debut in Om Shanti Om (2007), Deepika Padukone made an appearance in the 2006 edition. Katrina Kaif had already started acting but was given more recognition because to her Kingfisher affiliations. Other well-known calendar graduates include Bruna Abdullah, Lisa Haydon, Nargis Fakhri, Esha Gupta, Sobhita Dhulipala, Nora Fatehi, and others.
For aspiring models, the calendar became a highly sought-after gig and a prestige symbol. It supported a number of modelling, advertising, and acting careers, yet it’s still up for dispute if it was a reliable starting point.
The Ascent of the Stars Beyond the Calendar
Both Katrina and Deepika have separate paths to fame, in spite of Mallya’s assertions. Before making her film debut, Deepika, the daughter of badminton great Prakash Padukone, was already a popular model and had been in well-known advertising campaigns like Liril and Close-Up. Although it increased her notoriety, the Kingfisher photo wasn’t the only thing that made her famous.
British-Indian actress Katrina made her stage debut in Boom (2003) and ascended rapidly with hits such as Namastey London (2007) and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005). She had previously been looking for acting and modelling jobs abroad and in India, but Kingfisher helped support her glamorous persona.
Although their early portfolios still feature their relationship with the brand, neither actress has openly acknowledged Mallya or the calendar as the reason for “launching” their careers.
Industry Responses
Discussions in the fashion and cinema communities have been rekindled by Mallya’s self-congratulatory comments. “Yes, the calendar provided visibility, but Deepika and Katrina developed their careers via talent, hard work, and wise choices,” said an unnamed fashion photographer. Mallya can claim credit for showcasing them, but not for turning them into celebrities.
The reaction on social media was mixed. While some people criticised his comments as a pathetic attempt to remain current, others recognised his influence on Indian fashion prior to his decline.
Mallya’s Legal Issues and Her Plans to Go Back
Mallya talked about his legal dispute with Indian officials in addition to the calendar. Amid allegations of financial fraud and money laundering involving over ₹9,000 crore in delinquent loans, he left the country in 2016. Mallya is still in the UK despite British courts having approved his extradition, citing human rights issues and the possibility of unfair incarceration in India.
“I will without a doubt if I am given assurance. When asked if he would go back to India, Mallya replied, “I will give it some serious thought.” He cited several cases involving extradition in which judges determined that Indian custody circumstances violated the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). “They simply lock you up and discard the key.” That isn’t fair,” he continued.
Mallya has been residing in London since 2016 and is still using legal and humanitarian arguments to fight the extradition.
Concluding remarks
The assertion that Vijay Mallya “launched” Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif may be an expression of nostalgia for his opulent business, but it oversimplifies the paths taken by the actresses. Although the Kingfisher Calendar provided visibility, it took individual skill, tenacity, and business acumen to turn that exposure into superstardom.
Mallya has long since outlived his heyday. His remarks don’t seem to reflect the times in which the “King of Good Times” was a tastemaker in both business and glamour, but rather to be relics of a bygone period.
