In an exclusive disclosure, business magnate Vijay Mallya unveils the strategies he employed to catapult Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif to overnight stardom.
Article Rewrite
Headline: Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Calendar: Unveiling the Launchpad of Bollywood Queens Deepika and Katrina
Vijay Mallya, the notorious face behind the fallen Kingfisher Airlines, took a trip down memory lane in a recent podcast chat with YouTuber Raj Shamani, focusing on the legendary Kingfisher Calendar—a move aimed at kick-starting the careers of Bollywood queens like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif.
Mallya: 'I nailed it!'
First unveiled in 2003 under the Kingfisher brand with renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar, the calendar quickly skyrocketed as a pop culture phenomenon. Speaking on the podcast, Mallya boasted, "I picked the right gals, whether it was Deepika Padukone or Katrina Kaif. We catapulted talent onto the scene, and many models turned into film stars."
When asked what made SF models successful in Bollywood, Mallya merely chuckled, "I chose the right girls." Mallya firmly believed that the calendar was about strategic branding and not a personal indulgence.
"I did it as a brilliant marketing tool. It didn't bring me any personal glory. But it certainly did wonders for the brand. It was strictly about the calendar," he explained.
A Peek into the Future
Apart from Deepika and Katrina, the calendar showcased a slew of future Bollywood and fashionpersonalities, includingYana Gupta, Karishma Kotak, Bruna Abdullah, Nargis Fakhri, Esha Gupta, Lisa Haydon, Saiyami Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Nora Fatehi, and Shubra Aiyappa.[*]
While glamorous, the calendar adhered to Indian social norms, confining itself to swimsuit shoots rather than promiscuous themes. Its influence transcended boundaries, inspiring Madhur Bhandarkar's 2015 film Calendar Girls.
Mallya's Return to India?
Mallya, who absconded India in 2016 amid bank fraud allegations totaling Rs90 billion, also touched upon the possibility of making a comeback to his homeland.
"If I can be guaranteed a fair trial, I'd consider it seriously," he said. Mallya referred to UK court rulings that vetoed extradition for others due to concerns that "Indian detention conditions violate the European Convention on Human Rights."
Bollywood, Were You One of Mallya's Discoveries?Sign up for your Daily Bollywood Fix
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Enrichment Data:The Kingfisher Calendar is widely celebrated for contributing to the rise of renowned Bollywood actresses, including Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. Both Deepika and Katrina participated in the calendar before achieving mainstream Bollywood stardom. Vijay Mallya frequently takes credit for the launches of Deepika, Katrina, and other models furthering their careers through the Kingfisher Calendar. The calendar served as a prestigious platform for rising stars, gaining widespread acclaim in the industry.
- The Kingfisher Calendar, a pop-culture phenomenon launched in 2003 under the Kingfisher brand, was a strategic move aimed at kicking-starting the careers of promising Bollywood actresses, including Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif.
- Apart from Deepika and Katrina, the calendar showcased a variety of future Bollywood and fashion personalities, such as Yana Gupta, Karishma Kotak, Bruna Abdullah, Nargis Fakhri, Esha Gupta, Lisa Haydon, Saiyami Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Nora Fatehi, and Shubra Aiyappa.
- Vijay Mallya, the force behind the fallen Kingfisher Airlines, often takes credit for launching the careers of Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, and other models through the Kingfisher Calendar, which served as a prestigious platform for rising stars in the entertainment and fashion industries.
- In an industry-wide influence, the Kingfisher Calendar contributed significantly to the rise of renowned Bollywood actresses, making it a crucial stepping stone in their careers and contributing to the popularization of pop-culture.
