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The draw also saw other winners, including an Austrian national based in Portugal and recipients of luxury car prizes
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The Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion continues to attract residents and travellers, offering life-changing opportunities and inspiring stories of patience, persistence, and unexpected luck
For UAE-based businessman and Bollywood producer Rajan Lall, the number 79 has taken on a special meaning. Just six days after celebrating his 79th birthday on February 8, he received a phone call that changed his life. Lall was named the winner of $1 million (around Dh3.67 million) in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw, turning his birthday week into an unforgettable celebration.
The draw was held at Dubai International Airport during Chinese New Year festivities, adding to the festive atmosphere. Lall had bought his winning ticket online on January 30 while travelling to Mumbai to meet old friends. When the announcement came, he was in Saudi Arabia, making the surprise even more surreal. He called the win “the best 79th birthday gift ever,” saying the timing felt like a divine blessing.
Lall’s journey is a story of perseverance. He moved to the UAE in 1971 with just 90 dirhams in his pocket and rebuilt his life from scratch
Over the decades, he became a successful garment trader and earned the title “Dubbing King of India” for his work in film production and dubbing, helping South Indian films reach Hindi-speaking audiences. Despite his success and a luxurious home on Palm Jumeirah, he remains closely connected to his roots and the community that supported him in his early struggles.
Remarkably, Lall had been buying a single ticket every year for 25 years before finally winning. He has not yet decided how he will use the prize money, but he is looking forward to enjoying simple pleasures, including watching the upcoming India–Pakistan cricket match.
