Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi wished fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya on his birthday on X (formerly Twitter). The post quickly attracted attention due to both men’s infamous legal cases, as Mallya, who is currently fighting extradition from the UK, has been the subject of controversy for years.
Sharing a heartwarming message, Modi said, “Wishing you a very #happybirthday my friend #VijayMalya – Life definitely has its ups and downs; we both have seen it. This too shall pass. May the year ahead be your year. May you be surrounded by love and laughter.” , a big hug. Mallya responded with a thank you note, “Thank you, my dear friend… We have both been wronged in the country we tried to contribute to.”
Their exchange inspired a viral meme frenzy, with netizens humorously highlighting their shared legal battles and dubbing them the “star or stars” couple. Memes quickly spread, adding to the online conversation about their controversial past.