Unwholesome Development: Examining Vijay Mallya's Assertions Regarding Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif's Success
Here's a fresh spin on the article:
Deep fucking dish, these woman have grinded their way to the top, earning their success with sheer hard work
Manjusha Radhakrishnan Dubai: I ain't here to judge whether Vijay Mallya is a crooked son of a bitch who defrauded Indian banks. That's for the courts. But what I can do is call out the uncomfortable BS in his recent four-hour podcast celebrated as a "glorious rehabilitation."
Among many things that grinded my gears—his slippery deflections of responsibility, the cinematic retelling of his flashy downfall—what stood out most was his attempts to claim credit for the success of Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone. It was sly, but undeniably arrogant: the kind of name-dropping that not only reeks of vanity but a creepy sense of ownership over someone else's accomplishments.
Additionally Read: How Fardeen Khan quit smoking and lost 25 kgs to make Bollywood comeback
Let's get one thing straight. Deepika Padukone is a self-made queen boss ruling over the top brass of Bollywood. Her throne was built through relentless hustle, not just high-profile shoots and modeling gigs. In an earlier chat with me during her film Gehraiyaan promotions, she talked about her Bollywood grind as an outsider without any powerful connections in the industry.
"I haven't realized it's been 15 years because I'm constantly pushing myself as a person and as a performer," she said, reflecting on her journey from uncertain newcomer in Om Shanti Om to leading edgy films like Gehraiyaan. Her road from the uncertain newcomer to the leading lady is all her own. Mallya's stupid insinuation that he somehow 'spotted' or 'shaped' her trajectory diminishes her agency big-time.
Similarly, Katrina Kaif, often judged harshly because of her glamorous image or outsider status, is one of the hardest-working broads in the industry. She's nailed complex choreography and held her own in action-packed roles, making her success far from accidental. If anyone deserves a fraction of credit, it's Salman Khan—the star who introduced her to the inner circle. But even he can't steal the years of heavy lifting she's put in.
Also Read: Bollywood star Deepika Padukone plunges deep into 'Gehraiyaan' and talks love and loss
Ironically, the podcast's tone, meant to showcase Mallya as a misunderstood entrepreneur, stood at odds with his self-important narrative. Instead of showing real remorse, Mallya tossed out a plastered-together PR tale—one where even women who've outgrown him are relegated to glimmering footnotes in his grandiose tale.
"All our choices in life stem from our past experiences and circumstances," Padukone mused thoughtfully, referring to her film's characters. That comment, intended for fictional characters navigating love and betrayal in her film, applies more fittingly to Mallya—minus any accountability.
It's high time we stopped romanticizing the powerful man's comeback story, especially when it leans on the borrowed brilliance of women. Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif aren't jewels in anyone's crown. They're strong women who've carved empires in an industry that hasn't always been welcoming.
Also Read: Vijay Mallya reveals how he made Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif overnight sensations
So no, Mr. Mallya, you don't get to co-opt their success. You don't get to gloss over a decade of financial shenanigans with cocky credit-claiming and attention-grabbing. And you certainly don't get to name-drop your way back into the game on the backs of women who've long surpassed you.
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Entertainment news outlets might discuss Mallya's controversial claims in his podcast, questioning his attempt to take credit for the success of celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. In the movie industry section, articles might highlight the self-made success stories of these actresses, emphasizing their hard work and dedication, rather than any assistance from figures like Mallya.
