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79-year-old Dubai businessman, film producer wins $1 million after 25-year wait
Rajan Lall said he has been buying one Dh1,000 Dubai Duty Free ticket almost every time he travelled and often two to three times a month since 2000
- PUBLISHED: Thu 12 Feb 2026, 1:42 PM UPDATED: Thu 12 Feb 2026, 2:11 PM
A 79-year-old Dubai businessman and former Bollywood film producer has won $1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw after buying tickets consistently for 25 years.
But for Rajan Lall, the win is not about money. “Money doesn't excite me,” he told Khaleej Times in a telephonic interview. “It’s the thought of winning. How many people can say they have won a million-dollar lottery?”
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Lall, who celebrated his 79th birthday on February 6, said he has been buying one Dh1,000 ticket almost every time he travelled and often two to three times a month since 2000.
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“Twenty-five years is a long time to keep trying,” he said.
Out of curiosity, he recently calculated how much he had spent over the years. The amount came to roughly Dh125,000.
“But it’s all worth it now,” he said.
A prayer and a surprise call
Lall describes himself as a strong believer in Sai Baba. On the morning of the draw, before leaving for the airport, he said he prayed quietly.
“I just said, I have been trying for 25 years. Please do something this time,” he said.
Later that day, while he was in Saudi Arabia for a meeting, a friend messaged him congratulating him on his win. At first, he did not understand what it meant.
“My son checked the website while we were in the car going to the airport. My name was there. I jumped up,” he said.
Dubai Duty Free officials had tried calling him several times, but he had been in meetings and did not answer. “It was a surprise. A complete surprise,” he said.
Believing in Dubai when others laughed
For Lall, this win feels similar to a decision he made more than two decades ago, one that many people thought was foolish at the time.
In 2001, he walked into Nakheel's temporary office out of a port-a-cabin and booked four villas on Palm Jumeirah.
“At that time, it was just air and sand. People laughed at me. They said the island would sink,” said Lall adding that he had faith in Dubai’s leadership and its vision.
“I believed in the vision of Sheikh Mohammed. I believed this project would put Dubai on the world map,” he said.
Today, he still lives on Palm Jumeirah.
Starting again at 53
Long before Palm and the $1 million win, Lall had already lived several lives.
In India, he was a successful businessman and film producer. He produced 15 movies and ran multiple businesses, including retail ventures.
But facing legal troubles and pressure during that time, he decided to leave everything behind and move to Dubai at the age of 53.
“I sold everything and moved here. I didn’t bring any money from India,” he said.
He started from scratch and lived in a small room, paying Dh90 a day. He borrowed money from a friend to start a small factory in Ajman.
From that beginning, he slowly rebuilt his business. Today, his group operates in many countries, including the UAE. “I am a self-made man. But you must stay grounded and never forget your roots.”
Surviving health battles
Lall's journey has also included serious health challenges. He has survived four heart attacks, undergone multiple stent procedures, an aortic valve replacement, knee surgery, Covid and even cancer. Despite that, he still goes to the office for about six hours every day.
He smiled when asked about retirement. “I want to go with my boots on,” he said.
Legacy beyond money
For Lall, the $1 million win is symbolic and not life-changing. “God has been kind. A million dollars will not change my lifestyle,” he said.
What matters more to him today is goodwill and relationships. “Now I work to build goodwill and reputation, not just money,” he said.
Last year, he released a book titled 'I Did It My Way'. The book, he said, is not about his achievements, but about the mistakes he made.
“I have made big mistakes in life. Sometimes impulsive decisions can affect your family, your business, everything. You must think about cause and effect,” said Lall.
His advice to anyone who feels it is too late to start over? “It is never too late to try. I started again at 53. If you have faith and you are willing to work hard, you can rebuild.”
And after 25 years of buying tickets, he proved to himself that patience can also pay off.
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
