Despite facing bankruptcy in Britain and a mountain of legal cases in both the UK and India, fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya continues to embrace his 'King of Good Times' persona. In a show of enduring camaraderie, fellow exile and IPL founder Lalit Modi hosted an extravagant pre-birthday celebration for Mallya in one of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods.
A Star-Studded Gathering in Belgrave Square
The party was held on December 16, just two days before Mallya's 70th birthday, at Lalit Modi's luxurious six-bedroom home in Belgrave Square. This address is counted among Britain's priciest residential areas. The guest list saw friends flying in from India, mingling with international celebrities. Notable attendees included Indian fashion designer Manoviraj Khosla, renowned English actor Idris Elba, and billionaire entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.
The soirée reflected the hosts' cross-cultural ties. A blend of Indian and Lebanese cuisine was served, a nod to Lalit Modi's current partner, Rima Bouri, who is Lebanese. Music from the 1970s and 1980s set the mood, curated by a dedicated DJ. Mallya himself confirmed the details to the press, praising Rima as a "perfect hostess." The dessert table featured a thematic display: red, white, and green cupcakes surrounded gold letter blocks spelling "King," placed before a pile of gold chocolate coins.
Legal Shadows Over the Festivities
The lavish event stands in stark contrast to the serious legal clouds hanging over both men. Vijay Mallya, the founder of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines, is fighting extradition to India. He faces charges of conspiracy to defraud related to loans obtained from IDBI Bank in 2009, allegations he denies. Although he lost his final appeal against extradition in 2020, he remains in the UK, where he owns properties in Tewin and London.
Similarly, Lalit Modi fled India in 2010 after being suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over allegations of bid-rigging and misconduct. He has also been investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His passion for socialising remains undimmed, as evidenced by recent sightings of him dancing at Mayfair's Maddox club on his own birthday.
The Unbroken 'Bromance' and Public Perception
The December party underscores the close bond between the two controversial figures, often described as a 'bromance.' A photograph shared by Florida-based photographer Jim Rydell captured Mallya with his arm around Lalit Modi, smiling broadly. Their ability to host high-profile gatherings, attended by celebrities and business magnates, continues to draw public attention and commentary in India.
While Mallya's famed lifestyle—complete with yachts and fast cars—appears intact in London, the Indian authorities' pursuit of him as a fugitive economic offender remains active. The party in Belgrave Square serves as a vivid reminder of the complex narrative surrounding these individuals: their ongoing legal battles on one hand, and their insistence on a life of luxury and socialising on the other, far from Indian shores.
