Bollywood producer and Austrian expat win $1m each in Dubai Duty Free draw
China’s Consul General joins Chinese New Year Millennium Millionaire event
DUBAI – Dubai Duty Free has announced two new US$1 million winners as part of its Millennium Millionaire promotion, with Bollywood producer and Indian expat businessman Rajan Lall emerging as one of the lucky names.
The draw, held during Chinese New Year celebrations, also crowned Austrian national Oliver as a dollar millionaire. China’s Consul General in Dubai, Ou Boqian, joined the proceedings marking the festive occasion.
The announcement was made as part of a vibrant celebration ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse, adding a festive flourish to one of the airport retailer’s most popular promotions.
Double delight
Lall, 79, was declared the winner of $1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 535 with ticket number 3099, which he purchased in Concourse D on January 30. His win came just six days after his 79th birthday.
“This is the best 79th birthday gift ever by Sai Baba,” Lall told Gulf News exclusively.
The second winner, identified as Oliver, an Austrian national based in Portugal, won $1 million in Series 534 with ticket number 4393. He had purchased his ticket online on January 27. Dubai Duty Free said Oliver was not reachable following the announcement.
According to details shared during the event, the two winners were selected as part of the Millennium Millionaire draw held alongside Chinese New Year festivities at Dubai International Airport.
A surreal call
For Lall, the winning moment was unexpected. Speaking to Gulf News, he said he was in Saudi Arabia when he received the life-changing call.
“When I got the winning call, I was in Saudi! I had almost forgotten that I bought this ticket on January 30th when I was going to meet my Bollywood friends Shatrugnan Sinha, Shashi Ranjan in Mumbai. It feels surreal,” he said.
The ticket had been purchased during his recent trip to Mumbai. Despite buying a ticket every year for 25 years, this marked his first win.
Now residing in a sea-facing mansion on Palm Jumeirah, Lall brushed aside questions about wealth and fortune with characteristic candour.
“Darling, when was life ever fair! ... But what makes you think I don't need the money?” he told Gulf News, adding that he has yet to decide how he will use the windfall and is instead looking forward to the upcoming India vs Pakistan cricket clash.