Vijay Mallya on Kingfisher Calendar’s Star-Making Legacy
Vijay Mallya, the former liquor baron and Kingfisher Airlines chief, recently reflected on how the iconic Kingfisher Calendar launched Bollywood stars like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, crediting its success to picking “the right girls.”
A Cultural Phenomenon
In a four-hour podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, released on June 5, 2025, Vijay Mallya opened up about the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar, a venture that became a cultural sensation in India during the 2000s. Launched in 2003 under the Kingfisher brand, with renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar at the helm, the annual swimsuit calendar showcased Indian models in exotic global locations. Mallya described it as a strategic branding tool that not only elevated the Kingfisher name but also served as a launchpad for future Bollywood stars. “We chose the right girls, whether it was Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif. We had all the heroines and the stars on the calendar at a younger age. We picked the right talent,” Mallya said, emphasizing the calendar’s knack for spotting potential.
The Star-Making Formula
When asked why so many models featured in the calendar, like Katrina Kaif (2003) and Deepika Padukone (2006), became overnight sensations, Mallya’s response was simple: “Because we chose the right girls.” He clarified that the calendar was a professional endeavor, not a personal one, stating, “I did it because it was a fantastic marketing tool. It did not bring anything to me personally, but it did wonders to the brand.” The calendar’s glamorous aesthetic, inspired by the Pirelli Calendar, combined with Kasbekar’s vision, made it a high-profile platform that offered models early exposure. Deepika herself acknowledged this in a 2009 interview, saying, “At the beginning of my career, I was part of the calendar, and it’s getting better every year. It’s of international standards and one of the best calendars in the world.”
From Calendar to Bollywood Stardom
The Kingfisher Calendar didn’t just feature models; it became a gateway to Bollywood for many. Katrina Kaif, who appeared in the inaugural 2003 edition, marked the start of her journey to becoming a Bollywood icon. Deepika Padukone, featured in 2006 before her debut in Om Shanti Om, credited the calendar for giving her early visibility. Other notable names include Yana Gupta (2003), Nargis Fakhri (2009), Esha Gupta (2010), Lisa Haydon (2011), Saiyami Kher (2012), Sobhita Dhulipala, and Nora Fatehi. The calendar’s cultural impact was significant enough to inspire Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2015 film Calendar Girls, which explored the highs and lows of aspiring models navigating fame after such shoots.
A Talent-Spotting Platform
Mallya’s pride in the calendar’s legacy stems from its ability to identify talent before they became household names. “We picked well, we picked the right talent,” he reiterated in the podcast, dismissing rumors of personal ties with the actresses, saying, “It was strictly to the calendar.” The calendar’s selection process, led by Kasbekar and the Kingfisher team, focused on finding charismatic and photogenic models who could embody the brand’s luxurious image. This foresight helped models like Angela Jonsson (2011) and Aishwarya Sushmita (2016) transition into acting and fashion careers, solidifying the calendar’s reputation as a star-making platform.
The Kingfisher Brand and Its Legacy
Launched under Mallya’s United Breweries Group, the Kingfisher Calendar ran from 2003 to 2021, becoming synonymous with glamour and ambition. While it was a marketing triumph, boosting the Kingfisher brand’s visibility, Mallya insisted it was never about personal gain. The calendar’s bold aesthetic, featuring swimsuits over more provocative themes to suit India’s sensibilities, resonated with audiences and set a new standard for fashion and entertainment crossovers. Its influence extended beyond Bollywood, with the 2025 IPL victory of Royal Challengers Bangalore, originally owned by Mallya, bringing renewed attention to his legacy.
Controversy and Context
Mallya’s comments come amid his ongoing legal battles, including a ₹11,101 crore debt dispute with Indian banks and his fight against extradition from the UK, where he has resided since 2016. Despite these controversies, his podcast appearance sparked widespread discussion, with social media posts highlighting the calendar’s role in shaping Bollywood careers. The calendar’s legacy remains a testament to Mallya’s flair for branding, even as his business empire, including Kingfisher Airlines, collapsed under financial strain by 2012. The conversation with Shamani offered a rare glimpse into Mallya’s perspective, blending nostalgia with his characteristic confidence.
A Lasting Impact
The Kingfisher Calendar’s influence on Indian pop culture and Bollywood is undeniable. By providing a platform for young models like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, it bridged fashion and cinema, creating a legacy that outlasted Mallya’s business ventures. As Mallya put it, the calendar was about picking the right talent at the right time, a formula that turned aspiring models into household names. While the “King of Good Times” may be embroiled in controversy, the Kingfisher Calendar remains a glittering chapter in his story, one that continues to captivate and inspire.
