Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi hosted a glamorous pre-birthday celebration for fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya at his residence in Belgrave Square, London, on December 16. The event, described as a “fabulous pre-70th birthday party,” brought together several prominent personalities from business, fashion, and entertainment.
Notable Guests at the Celebration
Among the attendees was Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who was photographed interacting with actor Idris Elba and fashion designer Manoviraj Khosla. International photographer Jim Rydell also attended and shared a picture of Modi and Mallya together on X (formerly Twitter), thanking Modi for hosting the party. Modi responded by expressing his gratitude to everyone who attended the event.
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Rydell also posted the invitation card on Instagram. The invite read, “Rima (Bouri) and Lalit invite you to a glamorous evening in honour of their dear friend Vijay Mallya, celebrating the king of good times.” A cartoon-style image of Mallya featured on the card, adding a playful touch to the celebration.
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Modi and Mallya’s Previous High-Profile Gatherings
The duo has been seen together at several high-profile events in London. Earlier this year, they attended a private karaoke evening hosted by Modi with over 300 guests, including cricketer Chris Gayle. Modi also celebrated his 63rd birthday at the exclusive Maddox Club in Mayfair, a high-energy event featuring music, dancing, and birthday cake.
Both Modi and Mallya continue to reside in the United Kingdom while facing multiple legal cases in India related to financial and regulatory issues, which they have consistently disputed.
Netizens React on Social Media
Social media users were quick to react to the party, expressing criticism over the lavish lifestyle of the two men. On X, many users expressed outrage at seeing the former businessmen and alleged scamsters living luxuriously in London.
- One user, Kavita, called them “Atapi-vatapi.”
- Another commented, “Thank you for doing fraud and running away.”
- Govind Sharma wrote, “We saw bhagoda meet up before GTA6.”
The reactions highlight the public’s continued resentment over financial scandals linked to both Modi and Mallya, even as they live abroad.
A Glimpse into the Celebration
Photos from the evening showed guests mingling in an elegant setting, with Mallya being celebrated as the “King of Good Times.” The celebration reflected the high-profile social circle both men maintain in London, despite their ongoing legal battles in India.