Lalit Modi Apology Sparks Outrage: The ‘Two Fugitives’ Video with Vijay Mallya Explained

The Controversial Video That Started It All
Lalit Modi Apology: What He Said and Why
Public and Political Backlash Explained
Who Are Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya?
Why This Controversy Matters to India
Conclusion: A Misstep or a Deeper Issue?
Sources

The Controversial Video That Started It All

A seemingly lighthearted video from a London party has ignited a firestorm in India, dragging former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi back into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The video, posted on social media, featured Modi alongside fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya at the latter’s 70th birthday celebration .

In the now-viral clip, Modi jokingly referred to the pair as “the two biggest fugitives of India” . The comment, intended as dark humor, was received with immediate and intense fury by the Indian public and media alike. The video quickly became a symbol of perceived arrogance from individuals accused of defrauding the Indian banking system of billions of rupees .

Lalit Modi Apology: What He Said and Why

Faced with a massive wave of online outrage and criticism, Lalit Modi issued a swift and direct Lalit Modi apology to the Indian government and its citizens .

He stated, “My statement has been misconstrued… I apologise if my light-hearted comment has caused any offence to anyone in India.” . This carefully worded apology attempts to frame the remark as a private joke that was taken out of context, rather than a deliberate act of mockery .

The apology came just days after the video surfaced on December 24, 2025, showing the speed at which the controversy escalated . For many, however, the apology felt insufficient, seen as a damage control tactic rather than a genuine expression of remorse.

Public and Political Backlash Explained

The reaction to the video was swift and brutal. Social media platforms were flooded with anger, with users accusing both men of showing blatant disrespect to the Indian legal system and the taxpayers whose money is tied up in the loans they are accused of defaulting on .

Here’s a quick look at the primary sources of the backlash:

Perceived Mockery: The “two fugitives” line was seen as a direct and insensitive jab at India’s attempts to extradite Mallya and investigate Modi.
Lavish Lifestyle: The video showcased a lifestyle of luxury that stands in stark contrast to the financial distress their alleged actions have caused to public sector banks .
Timing: The incident comes at a time of heightened public sensitivity to financial crimes and fugitive offenders living comfortably abroad .

Who Are Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya?

For context, understanding the history of these two figures is crucial to grasping the depth of the public anger.

Vijay Mallya

Mallya, once known as the “King of Good Times,” is a fugitive from Indian law. He left India in March 2016 after being accused of defaulting on loans worth over ₹9,000 crore from a consortium of Indian banks . He is currently fighting extradition from the UK. His Kingfisher Airlines collapse is one of the most high-profile cases of alleged financial fraud in India’s recent history.

Lalit Modi

Lalit Modi is the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a tournament that revolutionized cricket. However, his legacy is marred by his own legal troubles. He was removed from his BCCI post in 2010 over allegations of financial irregularities and has been living in London since, citing health and legal reasons. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing [INTERNAL_LINK:lalit-modi-ipl-scandal-history].

Why This Controversy Matters to India

This incident is more than just celebrity gossip; it strikes a nerve at the heart of several critical issues:

Accountability: It highlights the frustration of a nation that feels its wealthy and powerful can evade justice and live in luxury abroad.
Banking Sector Health: The alleged frauds by figures like Mallya have had a tangible, negative impact on India’s public banking system, affecting its ability to lend to the common citizen.
National Sentiment: The flippant remark was perceived as a direct insult to national pride and the rule of law, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the public .

In essence, the video became a potent symbol of a much larger systemic problem, and the Lalit Modi apology was an attempt to quell a fire that was already burning far beyond a simple social media post.

Conclusion: A Misstep or a Deeper Issue?

While Lalit Modi has walked back his comments with an apology, the damage may already be done. The “two fugitives” remark has reignited a national conversation about economic fugitives, accountability, and the perceived injustice of their comfortable lives overseas. For many Indians, the issue isn’t just about a joke gone wrong—it’s about a long-standing demand for justice that remains unmet. This controversy serves as a stark reminder that for those living outside the country’s legal reach, every public action is scrutinized through the lens of their unresolved past.

Sources

This article is based on reporting from several reputable news outlets. For more information, please refer to the following sources: