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India.com
9 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Meet Raj Shamani: Podcaster Who Overcame Stage Fear, Recently Interviewed Vijay Mallya, Now Earns Over Rs 50 Crore – Check His Net Worth
photoDetails english 2912978 One might be living under a rock if they haven't seen podcaster Raj Shamani's recent interview with Vijay Mallya. The episode made headlines, marking one of Mallya's rare public appearances in years. Updated:Jun 08, 2025, 04:15 PM IST Who Is Raj Shamani? 1 / 7 Raj Shamani is a popular podcaster and entrepreneur who has interviewed several influential personalities, including Vijay Mallya. Born in July 1997, he commands a massive presence on social media and has become one of India's most followed content creators. Massive Popularity 2 / 7 Raj Shamani has garnered over 8 billion views across platforms and has millions of subscribers. His interview guests have included big names like Lalit Modi, Karan Johar, Aamir Khan, and Vijay Mallya. From Financial Struggles to Building His Own Empire 3 / 7 At the age of 16, Raj had to step up after his father suffered a diabetic attack. He began supporting his family's struggling business and sold products under his own brand, Jadugar Drop, contributing to Shamani Industries. Battling Public Speaking Fears 4 / 7 Despite being a public figure today, Raj has openly spoken about his fear of public speaking. His journey from stage fright to delivering TEDx talks and addressing global forums is remarkable. Content Creation Journey 5 / 7 Raj began by sharing motivational content. In 2021, he launched the Figuring Out podcast, which has since become a major hit. As of July 2024, he boasts 3.77 million YouTube subscribers and 2.6 million Instagram followers. Net Worth and Income 6 / 7 Raj Shamani has built a business empire beyond podcasting. His estimated net worth is Rs 91 crore (approximately $11 million). He earns over Rs 20 lakh annually from YouTube ad revenue alone and runs multiple ventures including Shamani Industries and House of X, a D2C-enabler platform for creators. According to a report by Times Now, Raj's monthly income exceeds Rs 1 crore, with an estimated annual income of Rs 15 crore. Other Achievements 7 / 7 Raj's achievements are as impressive as his rise: Youngest Indian speaker at the United Nations Youth Assembly 4× TEDx speaker Featured in Forbes India, Entrepreneur, and Business World Founder of House of X, collaborating with brands like CRED, CoinDCX, and Groww
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Vijay Mallya—declared a fugitive economic offender—wants to return home. What are his options?
Mumbai/Bengaluru/New Delhi: After nearly a decade of silence, Vijay Mallya, the flashy business tycoon who founded one of India's fanciest airlines that eventually went kaput and resulted in him being declared a fugitive economic offender, has re-emerged to tell his side of the story. The 'King of Good Times' wants to return to India and clear his name if promised a 'fair trial and a dignified existence", he said in a podcast recorded in London, where he has resided since leaving India in 2016. 'We all know how long detentions and trials can last in India," he said. 'That's not justice." But while the former liquor baron has legal remedies available to him to return to India and settle the outstanding cases against him, it won't be a smooth landing, say legal experts. 'If Vijay Mallya steps off a plane in India, the legal chessboard lights up instantly," said Ketan Mukhija, a senior partner at law firm Burgeon Law. Mallya could voluntarily appear before the court and surrender, thereby invoking his right to apply for bail, including anticipatory bail, Mukhija said. Mallya's legal team, however, would have to contest every existing arrest warrant, lookout circular, and non-bailable order, arguing on grounds of procedural irregularities or the absence of fresh incriminating evidence, Mukhija added. Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, including the right to a fair trial, would govern Mallya's request for a 'fair trial', according to Ajay Khatalawala, managing partner at law firm Little & Co. Mallya can also contest the tag of fugitive economic offender. The tag is proclaimed by a court when an individual accused of a serious financial crime, usually involving large sums, either flees the country or refuses to return to face trial. If Mallya decides to return to India and surrender, he can file a petition seeking to have the declaration of fugitive economic offender rescinded. However, the court will only consider such relief if it is satisfied that the return is genuine and made without mala fide intent, Khatalawala said. What Mallya said The podcast called Figuring Out, hosted by Raj Samani, featured Mallya's first public conversation in nine years, during which he claims to have not been given a chance of fair trial by the media. He claimed to be a victim of media sensationalism and political scapegoating. 'I regret one thing, which is that after all my hard work, all the value that I created in so many multiple ways, that effectively, the government of India and, of course, the media made me a zero from a hero. And that's a fact of life that I have had to stomach and live with," he said. At a very young age, Mallya was 'installed in the hot seat" as he became the chairman of the Bengaluru-based United Breweries Group after his father Vittal Mallya's demise in 1983. Helming UB Group, Mallya built Kingfisher beer into a dominant brand with over 50% market share. The eponymous airline that followed in 2005 was his vision to 'produce the best flying experience that India had ever seen". The acquisition of low-cost carrier Air Deccan in 2007 was widely blamed for Kingfisher Airline's downfall. Mallya said the acquisition was a calculated consolidation and not a means to by-pass a rule that required an airline to be operational for five years before it could fly internationally. The downward spiral came after the 2008 global financial crisis. Mallya said he approached the then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee with his plan to downsize his airline. Mukherjee asked him not to downsize and promised the airline would be supported by banks, Mallya claimed. Mukherjee passed away in 2020. With fuel cost rising and the government not allowing foreign investment in the aviation sector further complicated matters for Kingfisher Airlines, Mallya said. It was 'the economy, the circumstances, the government policy then existing all conspired to create a perfect storm through which King Fisher could not survive". 'Paid more than what was due' Mallya claimed in the podcast that while he owed only ₹6,203 crore to various banks, India's ministry of finance has reported a recovery of ₹14,131.6 crore, which is 'multiple times over." 'I am not a chor (thief)," Mallya said, refuting allegations that he fled India in March 2016 to evade authorities following the bankruptcy of Kingfisher Airlines, insisting he had planned a visit to Geneva to attend an international conference. Kingfisher Airlines, which was grounded in October 2012, owed more than ₹7,500 crore to lenders led by State Bank of India. The airline had accumulated losses of ₹16,023.46 crore as of 31 March 2013. He was being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) for various economic offences. But on 15 April that year, the ministry of external affairs suspended his passport. On the podcast, Mallya said he responded to a summons by the ED requesting more time to negotiate with his foreign collaborators to sell shares and settle the dues. Asked why he didn't fight harder to get his passport restored and return to India, Mallya said he was overwhelmed by the number of legal battles. 'How many fronts should I open at once? These are expensive and time-consuming battles." Fugitive or fall guy? Refuting allegations that he siphoned off funds from Kingfisher Airlines, Mallya said he infused ₹3,000 crore of United Breweries funds into the airline to keep it afloat. 'Nobody talks about that. If I intended to steal, would I have pledged my own shares and given personal guarantees?" he said. Mallya claimed that banks recovered double the amount he owed them by selling his assets. 'Yet despite 15 formal requests, they haven't given me a statement of account," he said. On the podcast, Mallya apologized for the non-payment of salaries to Kingfisher Airlines's employees. He claimed he made repeated attempts to get the Karnataka High Court to release ₹260 crore that it had frozen so he could pay employee wages. 'I offered settlements multiple times between 2012 and 2015 but they were all rejected," Mallya said. 'I am deeply sorry and I take full responsibility for it." Industrialist Harsh Goenka spoke out in Mallya's defence. While Mallya lived a 'high life" and had defaulted on loans, his dues have reportedly been settled, he said. 'Meanwhile, bigger defaulters walk free with much fatter haircuts from banks," Goenka said on social media platform X. 'If dues remain, the banks should clearly say so. If not, why is he still a political punching bag?" Mallya replied to Goenka on X that the finance ministry had 'confirmed in writing that Banks have recovered ₹14,100 crores from me against a DRT (debt recovery tribunal) judgement debt of ₹6,203 crores". Shriram Subramanian, the managing director of proxy advisory firm Ingovern doubts Mallya will return to India as there is no guarantee on what will happen to him. 'He has been the punching bag for all the large loan defaults by businessmen," said Subramanian. 'The cultivated political connections, lavish parties, and hi-profile public image makes him the ultimate fall guy."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Vijay Mallya calls 'ease of doing business' a myth in India, says extreme rules are rooted in Indian DNA, regardless of who is in power
I had to be in the good books of 29 CMs: Mallya — TheVijayMallya (@TheVijayMallya) Declines to comment on bribe in India — TheVijayMallya (@TheVijayMallya) Claims of unfair treatment in India — TheVijayMallya (@TheVijayMallya) Says he may return if promised fair trial Live Events — TheVijayMallya (@TheVijayMallya) Says former associates distanced themselves Apologises to Kingfisher staff Blames 2008 crisis, recalls talks with Pranab Mukherjee Approached finance minister to downsize operations Sought layoffs due to financial pressure Willing to return if assured fair trial (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya , currently in the UK and facing extradition, has criticised India's business environment, calling it heavily bureaucratic and politically influenced. Speaking on Raj Shamani's podcast Figuring Out, Mallya said, 'There is no ease of doing business in India. It's in the Indian DNA. No matter what a state or federal government may say, there are bureaucratic and political hurdles all along the way.'Mallya explained that operating his liquor business in India required coordination with all 29 state governments, each with its own liquor laws. 'I had to be in the good books of 29 chief ministers,' he said. He also shared that during elections, political parties demanded campaign funds from the liquor industry. 'Sometimes these aspirations were completely unreasonable and impractical,' he said, adding, 'During elections, I would leave the country to avoid being accessible.'When asked about unofficial payments or bribes, Mallya said, 'I'm not going to confirm or deny that… I think you know India as much as I know India.'Mallya left India in 2016 after his passport was revoked amid charges of financial misconduct. 'My freedom ended the day they took my passport,' he said. He also questioned the government's recovery of funds, claiming that more than double the Rs 6,203 crore debt tribunal judgment was recovered. 'If I defrauded the banks, how did the government recover so much?' he said he would consider returning to India if he is guaranteed a fair trial. 'If I am assured absolutely [of a fair trial], I will think about it seriously,' he said most of his political and business contacts cut ties with him after he left India. 'One politician told me, 'If we're seen with you, this government will come after us,'' he said. He mentioned Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw as someone who stayed in touch and called her 'like a sister.' Mallya added, 'In tough times, you learn who your real friends are.'Vijay Mallya issued a public apology to former employees of Kingfisher Airlines over unpaid salaries and explained why he was unable to clear their dues. Mallya, who is facing charges of bank loan fraud in India, claimed that court restrictions prevented him from releasing the funds. Vijay Mallya said he deeply regrets the hardship caused to Kingfisher Airlines staff due to unpaid dues. 'I would say, I am deeply sorry for what happened… I am deeply sorry that some of them didn't get paid their salaries, I have no excuses to offer, I take full responsibility but for those who care to listen, there was money lying in the deposit with the Karnataka High Court,' he former airline boss also said that he had applied to the court seeking permission to use the funds to pay the employees. However, the banks objected, and the court denied his request. 'I specifically applied to court to pay the salaries of Kingfisher Airlines staff, the banks objected, and the court refused the permission. There was really nothing I could do beyond that,' Mallya the podcast, Mallya also spoke about the economic challenges his airline faced during the 2008 global financial crisis. He said he had approached then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to downsize operations, but the government did not agree.'I was told not to downsize King Fisher at that time and yes the banks did support,' Mallya said. He added that he was unable 'to operate under these depressed economic circumstances' but was still asked to maintain full operations to ensure air Mallya said he had met the then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee during the 2008 financial crisis to discuss the financial stress faced by Kingfisher Airlines. He explained that the airline was struggling to stay afloat and needed to reduce its fleet size and workforce to manage to Mallya, he told the finance minister that he could not sustain operations in the weak economic environment without reducing the scale of the airline. He said, 'I went to Shri Pranab Mukherjee... and said I have a problem. Kingfisher Airlines needs to downsize, cut the number of aircraft, and lay off employees, as I can't afford to operate under these depressed economic circumstances.'Mallya left India in 2016 amid allegations of defaulting on loans worth over Rs 9,000 crore. In the same podcast, he said he is open to returning to India if given an assurance of a fair trial.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
My intentions were always to repay the loans: Vijay Mallya
In a rare and revealing interview after nearly a decade of silence, liquor baron and former Kingfisher Airlines chief Vijay Mallya has broken his media blackout, speaking out on Raj Shamani's popular podcast Figuring Out. The four-hour-long episode, released this week, sees Mallya defend his legacy, criticize the media, and express willingness to return to India—if assured of a fair trial. 'I have been abused, called names, and used as a lightning rod for public anger,' Mallya said. 'The media trial against me has been relentless. But now, I have a platform to tell my side of the story without spin.' He claimed that his intentions were always to repay the loans taken for Kingfisher Airlines, and pointed to a recent statement by the Finance Ministry claiming Rs 14,100 crore had been recovered from him—more than double the Rs 6,203 crore Debt Recovery Tribunal judgment. 'If I had really defrauded the banks, how did the government recover so much money?' he asked.
NDTV
09-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Karan Johar Openly Speaks About Struggles With BDD: Tips To Deal With Body Dysmorphia
In a candid revelation, renowned Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar recently disclosed his ongoing battle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a mental health condition characterised by obsessive focus on perceived flaws in appearance. Speaking on the podcast 'Figuring Out with Raj Shamani,' Karan Johar shared, 'I do suffer from body dysmorphia. It's when you feel ashamed of your own body… I can't even look at myself in the mirror.' Despite achieving significant weight loss and improved health, Karan Johar emphasised that his internal struggles with body image persist, highlighting the complex nature of BDD. Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental health condition where individuals obsess over perceived physical flaws, often unnoticeable to others. This preoccupation can lead to significant distress and impair daily functioning. According to the National Health Service (NHS), Body Dysmorphic Disorder can affect anyone but is most common in teenagers and young adults. Follow these tips to deal with Body Dysmorphia. 1. Seek Professional Help Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for BDD, helping individuals challenge and change unhelpful thought patterns. In some cases, medication may also be prescribed. Karan Johar has acknowledged seeking therapy and medication to manage his condition, stating, 'I've been to therapy for it… I even took medication after suffering from a panic attack.' 2. Limit Mirror Checking Frequent mirror checking can reinforce negative thoughts. Setting specific times for grooming and avoiding unnecessary mirror use can help reduce anxiety associated with appearance. 3. Challenge Negative Thoughts Identify and question negative beliefs about your appearance. Replace them with balanced, realistic thoughts. This cognitive restructuring is a core component of CBT. 4. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others Social comparisons can exacerbate Body Dysmorphic Disorder symptoms. Limit exposure to idealised images on social media and focus on your unique qualities. 5. Engage in Activities That Promote Self-Esteem Participate in hobbies and activities that make you feel competent and valued. Building self-esteem can reduce the focus on appearance. 6. Educate Yourself and Others Understanding BDD can empower you and those around you. Sharing accurate information helps reduce stigma and promotes empathy. 7. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises can help manage anxiety and improve overall well-being. 8. Build a Support Network Connect with friends, family, or support groups who understand and support your journey. Johar's openness about his struggles serves as a reminder of the importance of support and understanding. Karan Johar's candid discussion about his experience with Body Dysmorphic Disorder sheds light on a condition that often remains hidden due to stigma. His journey underscores the importance of seeking help and fostering self-acceptance. By implementing coping strategies and building supportive networks, individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder can work towards improved mental health and self-image. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
