India, June 6 -- Businessman Vijay Mallya, the former Kingfisher Airlines chief who is facing multiple fraud charges in India, has lauded the now-defunct airline's annual calendar, saying it was a fantastic marketing tool. The annual Kingfisher calendar used to be shot at exotic locations, mainly featuring Indian models in swimsuits.

In a four-hour-long podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, released on Thursday, the former Kingfisher Airlines chief was asked why the careers of many of the models, including popular Bollywood faces Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, featured in the Kingfisher calendar took off.

"Because we chose the right girls," Mallya said in response and went on to name Bollywood actors such as Deepika Padukone and Katrin...