Viral video shows Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya singing amid ongoing fraud cases and why it makes my blood boil

The stylish fugitive duo in London raises painful question: Will they ever pay for crimes?

Last updated:
Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor
2 MIN READ
Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya
ANI file photo

Of course they sang that song. Because when you're in London and dodging court dates in India, there's no better anthem than Frank Sinatra’s “I Did It My Way.”

The now-viral video of Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya crooning their alleged crimes away at a posh London party isn’t just tone-deaf — it’s the greatest hits of brazen privilege.

One’s been accused of financial misdoings tied to the IPL, and the other of defrauding Indian banks to the tune of nearly Dh8billion. But instead of courtrooms, they’re soaking in applause, spotlights, and Sinatra.

Let’s break this down. Lalit Modi — yes, the original architect of the IPL (Indian Premier League) — faces a laundry list of money laundering probes, FEMA violations, and was slapped with a penalty just last year. He's also permanently banned by the BCCI, Indian's cricketing body. But none of that has stopped him from curating an aesthetic comeback via parties, posts, and perfectly tailored suits.

And Vijay Mallya, the self-anointed king of good times? He recently rebranded himself in a marathon podcast interview — his first in nine years — where he painted himself as a misunderstood entrepreneur, hounded by media and bureaucracy. With all the melodrama of a redemption arc, Mallya apologised to Kingfisher employees, blamed India's economic policies, and insisted he’d return to the country only if assured a fair trial. Because, of course, due process is a luxury he now demands — not something he respected when skipping bail.

Meanwhile, back in India, banks are still playing recovery whack-a-mole, and defrauded employees remain unpaid. But sure, let's clap for the men who swapped courtroom appearances for karaoke nights.

This isn’t remorse. It’s not rehabilitation. It’s performance art — a carefully curated illusion of normalcy, broadcast from exile.

A party with 310 guests, including Chris Gayle, where Instagram stories flow more freely than justice.

They didn’t just “do it their way.” They got away with it.

So, next time someone romanticises “second chances,” show them this duet. Because when you’re rich, charming, and legally elusive, the world doesn’t hold you accountable — it hands you a mic.

And you better believe, they’ll sing.

Manjusha Radhakrishnan
Manjusha RadhakrishnanEntertainment Editor
Manjusha Radhakrishnan has been slaying entertainment news and celebrity interviews in Dubai for 18 years—and she’s just getting started. As Entertainment Editor, she covers Bollywood movie reviews, Hollywood scoops, Pakistani dramas, and world cinema. Red carpets? She’s walked them all—Europe, North America, Macau—covering IIFA (Bollywood Oscars) and Zee Cine Awards like a pro. She’s been on CNN with Becky Anderson dropping Bollywood truth bombs like Salman Khan Black Buck hunting conviction and hosted panels with directors like Bollywood’s Kabir Khan and Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. She has also covered film festivals around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she landed the cover of Xpedition Magazine as one of the UAE’s 50 most influential icons? She was also the resident Bollywood guru on Dubai TV’s Insider Arabia and Saudi TV, where she dishes out the latest scoop and celebrity news. Her interview roster reads like a dream guest list—Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Robbie Williams, Sean Penn, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Morgan Freeman. From breaking celeb news to making stars spill secrets, Manjusha doesn’t just cover entertainment—she owns it while looking like a star herself.

Sign up for the Daily Briefing

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox

Up Next