London/New Delhi, June 8 -- Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya has said he is open to returning to India if given an assurance of a fair trial and dignified existence, breaking his silence in a rare, four-hour podcast interview with content creator Raj Shamani.

The embattled former liquor baron said he was willing to be called a "fugitive" for not returning to India after March 2016 but pushed back at being labelled a "chor" (thief).

He also recounted his failed attempts to rescue Kingfisher Airlines, which shut down amid financial losses and debt.

Mallya said the airline suffered due to the 2008 global financial crisis, which triggered a liquidity crunch and currency depreciation in India.

Mallya, who left India in March 2016, has sin...