For UAE-based businessman and Bollywood producer Rajan Lall, the number 79 will forever be synonymous with luck. Just six days after celebrating his 79th birthday on February 8, Lall received a life-changing phone call. He was announced as the winner of $1 million (approx. Dh3.67 million) in the Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Millennium Millionaire draw.The draw took place during a festive celebration for the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Fire Horse) at Dubai International Airport. Lall won with ticket number 3099 in Series 535, which he had purchased online on January 30 while traveling to Mumbai to meet old friends. Interestingly, Lall was in Saudi Arabia when the news broke, making the surprise even more surreal. He described the win as “the best 79th birthday gift ever,” attributing the luck to divine timing.
Who is $1M winner Rajan Lall?
Rajan Lall is no stranger to the spotlight. Known in the industry as the “Dubbing King of India,” he has been a pivotal figure in Bollywood for decades. He moved to the UAE in 1971 with just 90 Dirhams in his pocket and a strong desire to rebuild his life. Over the years, he balanced a successful garment trade business with his passion for cinema, producing and dubbing films that bridged the gap between South Indian cinema and Hindi audiences.His circle of friends reads like a “who’s who” of Bollywood, including legends like Anupam Kher, Shatrughan Sinha, and Shashi Ranjan. Despite his multi-million dirham business empire and a sea-facing mansion on Palm Jumeirah, Lall remains deeply connected to his roots and the community that supported him during his early days of eating Maggi noodles and hitching rides to work.
Triumph years in the making
Lall told Gulf News that this win felt like “the best 79th birthday gift ever by Sai Baba”, a reference to the spiritual blessing he feels shaped his luck.Despite living in a Palm Jumeirah mansion, the multi-millionaire jokes that winning such a large prize still matters, and he hasn’t yet decided how he’ll use the money. He’s looking forward to watching the India vs Pakistan cricket clash next.What makes the win noteworthy is Lall’s long history with the raffle: he’s been buying a single ticket every year for 25 years before finally hitting the jackpot.
Beyond the jackpot
While Rajan Lall’s story stole the show, he wasn’t the only one celebrating. The draw also honored Oliver, an Austrian national based in Portugal, who secured his own $1 million prize in Series 534. Additionally, the Finest Surprise draw awarded luxury vehicles to several lucky participants:
- Walid El-Murr (Lebanese national) won a Mercedes Benz S500.
- David Duppa-Miller (UK-based) won a BMW F 900 GS motorbike.
- Rasheed Parambi Abdul Kader (Indian national) won an Aprilia Tuono V4 110
What the win means?
The Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw is one of the UAE’s most popular promotions, offering $1 million jackpots on a regular basis.Winners, like Lall and other Indian expats over the years, highlight the widespread appeal of this raffle among residents and travelers alike. Previous winners have included groups pooling ticket purchases, and repeat participants who finally hit the jackpot after years of trying.Dubai Duty Free’s draws take place at Dubai International Airport and often coincide with major celebrations, in Lall’s case, the “Year of the Fire Horse” Chinese New Year festivities, adding to the excitement and publicity of the events.
