TOI correspondent from London: Fugitive economic offender Vijay Mally still knows how to party, despite being declared bankrupt in Britain and being swamped in dozens of legal battles in the UK and in India.His bromance with IPL founder Lalit Modi (63), who also lives in the UK, has reached new heights. Lalit hosted a big bash for Mallya on Dec 16, two days before the Kingfisher Airline founder’s 70th birthday. Both fled India after getting into legal trouble.The party took place at Lalit’s swanky six-bedroom London home in Belgrave Square, one of Britain’s most expensive addresses. Mallya’s friends flew over from India for it. Those spotted at the party include Indian fashion designer Manoviraj Khosla, English actor Idris Elba and billionaire entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.Indian and Lebanese food was served, thanks to Lalit’s current partner, Rima Bouri, being Lebanese, and a DJ played music from the ’70s and ’80s. Mallya told TOI: “Lalit hosted a party for me. Lalit’s lovely partner Rima is Lebanese and a perfect hostess.”Dessert included red, white and green cupcakes surrounding gold letter blocks of the word “King” in front of a pile of gold chocolate coins.Known for his lavish lifestyle — including yachts and fast cars — Mallya, dubbed the King of Good Times, has not lost his mojo in London despite fighting extradition to India to face charges of conspiracy to defraud in relation to loans made by IDBI bank to Kingfisher Airlines in 2009. He denies the charges. Despite losing the court battle against extradition in 2020, he remains in Britain where he owns homes in Tewin and London.Florida-based photographer Jim Rydell shared a picture of Mallya with his arm around Lalit at the party.Lalit fled India in 2010 after being suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for bid rigging and other offences. He was also investigated by the ED. Like Mallya, he still loves to party and was recently seen dancing at Maddox club in Mayfair on his birthday.
