The Mallya Group owns a huge business empire and is led by a high profile CEO.
The business empire pans out from Airlines to Chemicals to Sports teams (Car Racing, F1 and Cricket, Indian Premier League Teams). Of course, the bread and butter business of the company remains – its liquor business, led by its early entrenched positions and strong marketing strategies (especially excellent advertising). The groups “Kingfisher calendar” has always been in the news for many years for the bikini-clad models and celebrity photographers. Readers might like to check it out by accessing http://www.kingfishercalendar.com – as words are not enough.
‘Kingfisher’ is the only catchword to explain the activities of the group. Kingfisher Airlines was established in 2003. It started commercial operations in 2005. It went international in 2008 by connecting Bengaluru with London. It had revenues of nearly Rs. 6,500 crores in FY2011. Yet, it was not all great going there. Unfortunately, the airline business of the group has been making losses right from day one.
In the past, Kingfisher airline was bailed out a few times by its lenders … but the troubles for the bankers, its customers in the recent few weeks seemed unending (Q3 of 2011). There were many situations wherein the fuel supplying companies (Indian Oil, HPCL, & BPCL) temporarily suspended the supply of fuel to the company, grounding many of Kingfisher flights during peak hours – resulting in a harrowing time for its customers and many others. This resulted in severe damage to its reputation.
Battling financial crisis, Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya said he has not asked for a bailout from the government but wants the lenders to help with tiding over the working capital crisis with a quick Rs. 800 crores loan and such. On the other, he was facing all-round attack from political parties and others which are opposing any bailout for his airline. Mallya countered this by stating, "We have not asked for any bailout from government. We have not asked the government to dip into the taxpayers’ money."
This promoted a quick comment on the Kingfisher calendar—the most talked about calendar in India—“Does it look forward to Mallya’s appearance after the Kingfisher Airlines’ cash-crash?” This brand new update kept me thinking over the group’s next step hereon. Hence, I chose to update my thought to catch a handful of views by friends—“Will we get to see the CEO of Kingfisher in this year’s Kingfisher Calendar?”
To this, a friend, Basant Purohit replied, “As a fisherman most expectedly 
.”
Vivek Patil wrote: “I believe, it is almost ready, but its nation's political and economic responsibility to save their wardrobe. Airlines/ aircrafts had been bleeding and creeping for funds ever since the Wright brothers invented it.” Vivek’s comments were spot – given the fact that airlines have been a big fashion statement business – but rarely have they earned profits for their owners (across globe) …
Saurav Chowdhury’s take was-- “Kingfisher CEO did keep his standards as far as class went.” Varun Kumar Gupta in a state of anxiety asked, “Why?” I explained my say on this adding some humor to it-- “Varun, there can be multiple reasons for this, say for instance, ABC, cost cutting, bankers/lenders badla Party, brand repositioning, women’s fight back, responsible leadership, sustainable business, corporate social responsibility, aggressive brand repositioning/marketing, customer’s delight, ethical leadership, organization culture & competency mapping, grievance addressing & resolution, focusing on the three angles of the triple bottom line, etc” ... but ended it stating that… “It was SAD but we can see it as a part of the gains & pains of entrepreneurship.”
Varun replied, “I feel proud to have studied the glorious field of business management to have made sense of these words. ” Prithwiraj Deb adding to my list of reasons wrote, “You missed Tipu Sultan's sword. ” Akshat Kumar, another friend threw a sarcastic comment on Mallya’s present condition—“Considering he's now in the same state as the people who usually feature in the calendar, he should appear...” Srinivas Adusumilli in an inquisitive note, asked, “Do you really want to see him? ”
Sundarajan Ramsubramaniam wrote laughingly … I hope that was a rhetorical question. Gaurav Gupta exclaimed, “What an idea Sir ji ;)” Renjith George, adding to the humor quotient wrote, “He'll probably be ALL you get to see in this year's calendar, sir! ;)” Ravi Tadepalli in despair exclaimed, “Oh god, no!”
Charles Amos thought of the liquidation of Kingfisher airlines and came up stating that Mallya will still pull it off and here's the best part - it will be tax payer funded.” Arup Roy Chowdhury followed up writing, “Who knows...may be thru bailout provision!” There were more interesting responses.
However, Alok Beel put the whole thing in different perspective when he commented, “As Vijay Mallya says on Kingfisher's website- "I am taking things personally"...so he might be ready to go an extra mile and feature in the calendar himself this year ”
With all sorts of comments flooding in from enthusiastic friends, it was good social networking time. However, one can be confident that the bankers and Mr. Mallya will be rewarded appropriately by the Goddess for their deeds and mis(deeds).