I didn't bid, says Mallya

Bangalore: Capt Gopinath, the founder of India's low-cost airline industry, will be the new neighbour of Vijay Mallya, the chairman of UB Group.
It is said he outbid Mallya and bought this house.
Given Mallya's larger-than-life image, his billionaire status and propensity to pay top dollar for what he wants and wooing his target relentlessly -- Air Deccan itself being a prime example -- it may be that that he didn't want the house bad enough. He is the biggest land owner on this prime stretch which earlier housed a brewery. Once the brewery was moved, he's built a mixed use development which comprises the city's poshest shopping, service apartments and office spaces.
When asked about Capt Gopi outbidding him, Mallya said, "All I know is that Gopi bought a beautiful old house right next to Brewery House. I did not bid and I have had no interest in acquiring more on Vittal Mallya Road as I have more than enough."
The house in question has undergone extensive restoration to bring it back to its original look. Named `Gorur House', after Capt Gopi's village in Hassan district, it is said to have cost him around Rs 17-crore (at the then rate of Rs 10,000 per sq ft), according to realty sources. Even before this buy, Mallya and Capt Gopi were neighbours __ the latter's apartment being a few yards away from Brewery House.
Being next door neighbours will add an extra layer of complexity to the high octane relationship between the self-admitted Mars-versus-Venus men. The two started off as competitors albeit in two different segments of the market. Mallya at the top end with Kingfisher Airlines and Capt Gopi at the bottom with Air Deccan. They became friends later and Mallya wooed Capt Gopi relentlessly in the build-up to him buying Deccan. Today, the Deccan founder, a large shareholder and vice chairman of Kingfisher Airlines, is Mallya's business partner. From next month they will be hand-shaking neighbours.
26/12/08 Asha Rai/Times of India

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Categories: Deccan Aviation Dec 2008, Kingfisher Dec 2008