Vijay Mallya: Unplugged

22 Feb 2009, The Times Of India.

His first Ferrari was at four, and they are still coming, and every aircraft he buys circumambulates Tirupati first. Here are some lesser known facts about liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

Vijay Mallya (PTI Photo)

- His passion for cars started real early. The owner of the Formula 1 team ‘Force India,' got his first Ferrari at age 4 from his father. Of course, it was a child's version.

- Dhaneshwar Bahera, a household help has been with the Mallya family for forty years. He's served Mallya's father the late Vittal Mallya and now takes care of Mallya's kids too.

- For all the partying image, Mallya's a very religious man. He goes on the Sabarimala pilgrimage every year and on the last stretch walks barefoot like a normal, ordinary devotee.

- The King of Good Times makes sure that every aircraft he buys, first goes to Tirupati and circumambulates the shrine of Lord Venkateshwara before being pressed into service.

- Favourite haunt in India with close friends is Mandwa where he keeps his fabulous collection of cars. He had a famous re-union party for old friends and family there a few years ago.

- The Bangalore-boy was raised in Kolkota – went to Le Martinere – where he almost bagged the best student award, which eventually went to Rafiq Zakaria.

- Mallya loves jewellery. He sports a huge, diamond studded ‘VJM,' bracelet on his right hand, a huge diamond, ruby and emerald pendant of Lord Venkateshwara. On his ears are eye popping solitaires that belonged to his grand mother.

- His favourite aunt was the late Prema Mallya. She lived in a house in the Mallya compound off the posh Grant Road (now renamed the Vittal Mallya road after his late father).

- Loves the turf. His jockeys turn out in his colours of black and white. Owns a stud farm near Bangalore.

- Is a linguist. Speaks fluent Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Gujarati and of course English. He's also learnt French.

- Loves coastal food. Favourite being Mangalorean specialities like ‘Kane rava,' (Kane fish in rava batter), ‘Kori gasi,"( chicken curry), appams and sannas.

- Some of his other favourite food includes MTR Masala Dosa and Crab in south Indian gassi from Trishna in Mumbai.

- His favourite sweet include mishti doi and chocolates

- His favourite wine is Ferrari Carano

- His favourite cigar is café crème blue

- For any important event, personal or professional, he makes it a point to go by auspicious time

- He loves to English retro music of the sixties and seventies...yes the songs he has grown up with.

- When he is in office, loves to go for light lunch - kebabs, kati rolls, veg sandwich etc.

- He loves his Bentley.

- He loves to wear designer clothes. His preferred names include Armani, Valentino, Manoviraj Khosla and Roberto Cavalli

- His favourite colour is red. Wherever he is, home, office, car...will see specs of red either in his apparel or in the ambience.

- He has never taken a day off. Whether at office or at party, he is forever working.

- He is very tech savvy, Blackberry is his constant companion.

- He is the king of good times. Whatever he buys - shirt, watch, car or a yatch, he invests lot of time, energy and enthusiasm in it. He has a deep knowledge of whatever he is buying.

- He is not particularly a brand conscious person. Whatever he likes, he buys it. It could be anything from flea market to fashion stores in Paris.

- He has a son named Sidhartha from his first wife Samira. He gifted Kingfisher on Sidhartha's eighteenth birthday in May 7, 2005. Mallya apparently has a great "relationship" with the London-based Samira.

- He has two daughters from second wife Rekha. Leana and Tanya are teenagers now. The daughters in San Francisco with their mother. The reclusive Rekha, who hails from Coorg, hates parties.

- Vijay Mallya makes it a point to celebrate every family members birthday by being personally present at wherever they might be located. When it comes to his own birthday, he gets the entire family beside him.
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