Vijay Mallya opens up about choosing young actresses like Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone for his calendar: ‘We picked the right talent’ |
Former businessman Vijay Mallya recently opened up about the legacy of his Kingfisher empire—especially the iconic Kingfisher Calendar. Reflecting on its cultural impact, Mallya revealed how featuring in the calendar gave many models a major career boost. He also mentioned why stars like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif were perfect choices, noting how their early appearances helped catapult them to stardom.In a rare interview with Raj Shamani on his podcast, Vijay reflected on how many Kingfisher Calendar models went on to become major stars, including Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. He credited this success to the team’s keen eye for spotting talent early on, saying they consistently chose the right faces—even before they became household names. Mallya emphasized that the calendar featured future stars at the very beginning of their careers, showcasing the brand’s knack for identifying rising talent.The Kingfisher Calendar, conceptualized by photographer Atul Kasbekar, ran annually from 2003 to 2021 and became a defining platform for Indian models. Shot in exotic locations across the globe, the calendar was inspired by the iconic Pirelli Calendar and served as a bold extension of Vijay Mallya’s brand. While the concept flirted with glamour and high fashion, Mallya revealed that they opted for swimsuit editions over more provocative themes, keeping in mind India’s social sensibilities.Over the years, the Kingfisher Calendar featured a host of now-famous faces who went on to make their mark in the entertainment industry. Among them were Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Yana Gupta, Karishma Kotak, Bruna Abdullah, Nargis Fakhri, Esha Gupta, Lisa Haydon, Saiyami Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Nora Fatehi, and Shubra Aiyappa. The calendar served as a high-profile launchpad, with many of its models transitioning into successful film and fashion careers.Deepika Padukone had a packed 2024 with major releases like Fighter, Kalki 2898 AD, and Singham Again. On Friday, it was confirmed that she will star opposite Allu Arjun in director Atlee’s upcoming sci-fi film, adding another big-ticket project to her slate. Meanwhile, Katrina Kaif was last seen in Merry Christmas in 2024. While she continues to remain a top name in the industry, she has yet to announce her next project.
