CNN - Talk Asia anchor Anjali Rao recently chatted with Vijay Mallya, Chairman of United Breweries and Kingfisher Airlines. In the past, Mallya has been described as 'flamboyant'. The media has even drawn parallels between him and Richard Branson (Virgin), due to their similar 'colourful' lifestyles and attitudes.

During the interview the king of good times discussed his much-talked about lifestyle. Here is a transcript of the interview, which was conducted in Mallya's Goa home:

Anjali Rao (AR): Vijay Mallya has been dubbed the king of good times. The billionaire tycoon has cast a long shadow in India with high profile launches and lavish parties.

Vijay, apparently you once said that you wanted this house to make people go weak in the knees -- tell us a bit about it.

Vijay Mallya(VM): No, actually, this house has a lot of history to it, a lot of sentiment. When my father passed away in 1983, my grandmother was very distraught. That was the first time that I was told that our family temple was actually here in Goa.

It was about seven years ago that the chief priest of our temple here in Goa contacted me through my office, and said that the deity that we worship as a family somehow wasn't pleased with me.

It is difficult for westerners to believe this, but he came to Bangalore and said something very interesting. He said, "You were supposed to build your family home in Goa, which you haven't done. Having a family home is very sacred, very sacrosanct in our culture."

This is probably the only property here in Goa that stretches all the way from the main road all the way to the beach and that explains why it's so long -- it had to be oriented this way.

AR: It is quite something. How much hand did you have in designing this place?
VM: No decorators at all, did it all myself. And talking about opulence, all these Tanjore paintings are absolutely priceless. That's an actual gold leaf, 100 years old. I bought these in South India and have been collecting them for many years. So, when I designed this big hall, the proportions were decided by the art.

AR: Over here is something that cannot be ignored: a drum kit. How often do you get a chance to practice, and you know to really play with any of the huge array of toys that you have?
VM: Whenever I'm here I really sort of do what I want to do. And if I feel like playing the drums, I play the drums. If I want to play a bit of pool, I play pool. If I want to swim I swim. You know, it's kind of totally chilled out. But I have my office there fully staffed, opposite the discotheque where smaller parties take place.

AR: This looks like a charmed existence -- you live in utter paradise. Is there anything about your life that you would change if you could?
VM: I may have done a few things differently in my life, but otherwise I'm happy and content the way I actually am.

AR: It's so peaceful and so tranquil. This must be a real sanctuary for you to come to.
VM: Yes, it is nice. It's peaceful, it's quiet and Goa is beautiful. But what is nice is inside the property -- you have this tranquility and relaxation. You get out of the gate, and that's when all the Goan action takes place. Goa is a fun place, and Goans are fun people.

Photograph: Getty Images
Cover Photograph: Getty Images