“We have multiple businesses and each business operates independent of each other. There is no cross contamination. There never has been, there never will be,” Mallya told reporters over the phone from London.

Spiking speculation that the deal with Diageo would help refunding of Kingfisher, Mallya said he would address the financial issues of Kingfisher Airlines separately and that he did not want to mix the Diageo-United Spirits deal with that of his airline. “I have now done what I think is best for my spirits business and, of course, we will also address the needs of Kingfisher Airlines,” said Mallya.