He Lost His Father At 16, Sold Books, Firecrackers & Milk to Survive — Three Decades Later, He’s The Man Behind Rs 20,830-Crore Empire

If you’ve been scrolling through social media handles lately, chances are you’ve come across videos of luxurious Dubai properties — gold-accented interiors, premium furniture, sky-high towers, and infinity

pools that look straight out of a film. At the centre of it all? Rizwan Sajan — the man redefining luxury real estate in the Middle East. But behind this glamour and billion-dirham deals lies a story of struggles, heartbreak, dreams, and relentless ambition.

Rizwan Sajan: From Ghatkopar’s Lanes To Dubai’s Skyline

Born and raised in Mumbai's Ghatkopar, Rizwan Sajan’s life could have been very different. At just 16, he lost his father — the family’s only breadwinner, who earned Rs 7,000 a month working in a steel factory. Overnight, Rizwan became the man of the house. With three younger siblings and a mother to care for, his teenage years were spent not at playgrounds, but on Mumbai’s streets — selling books, milk, and firecrackers just to make ends meet. “It was survival,” he once told Gulf News. “There was no choice but to keep moving.”

Rizwan Sajan Hard Work: His Only Inheritance

While most kids his age were figuring out what to study, Rizwan was learning what it meant to build from scratch. He juggled school and multiple jobs, often waking before dawn to deliver milk before rushing to class. His uncle later helped him secure a job in Kuwait in 1981, where he started as a sales trainee with a monthly salary of Rs 18,000 — his first big break. But life wasn’t done testing him. After eight years of hard work, Rizwan climbed the ladder to become a sales manager. Then came the 1990 Gulf War. Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait turned his world upside down — his home, career, and savings, all gone overnight. “I came back to Mumbai with nothing but experience,” he said in an interview. “But that was enough to start again.”

Rizwan Sajan: The Birth Of Danube Group

In 1993, armed with courage, experience, and a handful of dirhams, Rizwan Sajan founded Danube Group in Dubai — a small trading company dealing in building materials. What began in a single warehouse has since grown into a multi-billion dollar empire. Danube Group now stands tall among the UAE’s top real estate sector. Its projects — known for their opulence and smart design — attract celebrities, investors, and homeowners from across the globe.

Rizwan Sajan: The Celebrity Magnet

Scroll through Rizwan Sajan’s Instagram today, and you’ll find him giving property tours to Bollywood icons and sports stars — from Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi to television’s top names. His collaborations have turned Danube into a lifestyle brand synonymous with luxury living.

Rizwan Sajan: The Empire Today

According to multiple reports, Danube Group’s valuation crossed USD 1.3 billion in 2019, with Rizwan’s personal net worth now touching an astonishing Rs 20,830 crore. His company’s footprint spans across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman. Despite having all the money, Rizwan Sajan remains grounded in his values. He often credits his struggles for shaping his resilience and empathy. “When you’ve lived without money, you value every single note,” he once said. Today, his journey inspires thousands of young Indians and immigrants in the UAE. From a 16-year-old boy delivering milk to one of Dubai’s wealthiest businessmen — Rizwan Sajan’s story is not just about rags to riches. It’s about never giving up, even when life pushes you to the edge.