Esha Gupta Reveals Vijay Mallya Took Interest in Calendar Models: “I Wasn’t One of Those”
Speaking Truth in a Glossy World
The world of Bollywood and fashion in India has often danced on the edge of opulence, ambition, and murky realities. It is a realm where careers are made overnight—but also shaped by choices, whispers, and who’s watching. Amid this glamorous chaos, actor Esha Gupta has long stood apart—grounded, bold, and unafraid of truth.
In a recent revelation that sent ripples across the industry, Esha Gupta opened up about her early modeling days and clarified a long-standing assumption: Vijay Mallya, the flamboyant liquor baron and once Kingfisher Calendar mogul, may have taken a keen interest in his models—but “I wasn’t one of those,” she stated firmly.
It’s a comment that draws attention not just for its name-drop, but for what it signals: a young woman asserting her agency in an industry where objectification was often wrapped in silk and champagne.
The Kingfisher Calendar Phenomenon – Where Dreams Began (and Sometimes Derailed)
To understand the gravity of Esha’s words, we must rewind to the mid-2000s when the Kingfisher Calendar, under the patronage of Vijay Mallya, was India’s boldest launchpad for models. It combined tropical aesthetics with glossy sensuality and quickly became the go-to portfolio for aspiring actors and pageant winners.
Models featured in the calendar often landed:
- Movie contracts
- Brand endorsements
- Magazine covers
- Page 3 visibility
But with opportunity came whispers—Did selection involve more than just talent? Who got invited to the yacht parties? Who didn’t?
This calendar culture became symbolic of aspiration mixed with blurred lines, and Mallya’s lavish lifestyle and infamous parties further fed this narrative.
Esha Gupta’s Journey – From Miss India to Mainstream Cinema
Before becoming a familiar name in Bollywood, Esha Gupta was a participant in the Femina Miss India pageant, eventually placing in the Miss International contest. She was elegant, articulate, and camera-friendly—everything a Kingfisher Calendar girl was expected to be.
But Esha chose a different path. She didn’t appear in the calendar. She didn’t indulge in the rumored party circuit. And that, she now implies, was intentional.
“I wasn’t one of those,” she said, referencing Mallya’s alleged preferences.
“He had a few favorites. I was never called. Never part of that circle. And I’m glad.”
This assertion isn’t just about distancing herself from a scandal—it’s about reclaiming her story from assumptions.
Glamour vs Integrity – The Tightrope Young Artists Walk
Every model-turned-actor faces a similar forked road: walk the fast lane of glamour or wait in the longer line for merit-driven success.
Esha’s statement exposes this unspoken binary. It asks uncomfortable questions:
- What does it take to “make it” in Bollywood or high-fashion?
- Is resistance to the dominant social networks punished quietly?
- Why is it still shocking when a woman in the industry says, “No, I didn’t take that route”?
In industries built on image, what’s left unseen can often matter more than what’s photographed.
The Power Men Behind the Curtain – And Their Legacy
Vijay Mallya’s name is now synonymous with bank fraud, exile, and financial misconduct, but his former persona was one of power and influence across aviation, liquor, sports, and fashion.
His annual calendars weren’t just photographic indulgence—they were career-making machines, and many actors still credit it for giving them a break.
But behind the scenes, power dynamics were rarely neutral. Stories emerged over the years about party politics, selective promotions, and gendered silences.
Esha’s statement is subtle but sharp. In one sentence, she dismantles the myth of the benevolent gatekeeper and exposes the fault lines of admiration vs manipulation.
Industry Reactions – Applause, Silence, and Shrugs
After her interview surfaced, Bollywood watchers and media outlets responded with a mix of curiosity and cautious appreciation. Social media was abuzz with praise:
- “Glad she said it.”
- “We need more actresses to speak out.”
- “Calendar girls weren’t all complicit, but they had few options.”
Yet, many within the industry chose silence, and some even dismissed the remarks as “old gossip resurfaced for attention.”
This reveals the deeper tension: truth is welcomed in Bollywood—as long as it doesn’t disturb nostalgia.
Courage in a Culture of Curation
Esha Gupta’s candid statement may appear like a footnote in celebrity news, but it opens a wider lens on how women survive, navigate, and define themselves in hyper-visible, male-dominated environments.
For every woman who says “I wasn’t one of those,” there are hundreds more who didn’t have the option to say no—or whose voices never reached a microphone.
Esha’s revelation, then, is not an accusation. It’s a reminder. That the journey to success is often walked in silence, but sometimes—when spoken with honesty—it echoes louder than any headline.
