Netflix’s flashy reality series Desi Bling is packed with luxury cars, designer wardrobes, yachts and jaw-dropping wealth. But among all the high-profile names on the show, one businessman has especially caught viewers’ attention, Rizwan Sajan, the Dubai-based founder of Danube Group. Born in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area and raised in difficult conditions, the 62-year-old entrepreneur is now counted among the richest Indian-origin businessmen in the UAE, with an estimated fortune of $2.5 billion.
A businessman who built an empire from scratch
Rizwan Sajan is the founder and chairman of Danube Group, a Dubai-headquartered conglomerate that today operates across more than 10 countries. The company has expanded into several sectors including building materials, real estate, home décor, hospitality, healthcare, media and residential projects.
According to Forbes, Danube Group recorded an annual turnover of nearly $1.3 billion in 2019, and the business has continued to grow over the years.
While Desi Bling showcases glamour and luxury, Sajan’s story stands apart because it began far away from the world of private jets and lavish lifestyles.
Childhood marked by struggle in Mumbai
Sajan was born in the slums of Ghatkopar in Mumbai and faced financial hardship from a very young age. He reportedly left school early and started working as a teenager to support himself.
To earn money, he sold milk and books on the streets. Speaking about his early life in an Instagram post, Rizwan Sajan said, “I started working at the age of 14.”
Those difficult years shaped his approach towards business and survival.
Sales job in Kuwait changed his life
After spending his early years doing odd jobs, Sajan eventually found work in Kuwait as a salesman. His ability to close deals and connect with customers helped him gain recognition in the industry.
However, his journey was interrupted when the Gulf War forced him to leave Kuwait and return to India. Instead of giving up, Sajan treated the setback as a fresh beginning.
Dubai became the turning point
In the early 1990s, Rizwan Sajan moved to Dubai and launched a small trading business. What began as a modest venture slowly expanded into the Danube Group in 1993.
Over the years, the company transformed into one of the Middle East’s major business groups. Today, Danube has become a familiar name in construction materials and real estate across the region.
Why viewers are talking about him
Reality shows often spotlight luxury, but Rizwan Sajan’s story has sparked curiosity for another reason — his dramatic rise from poverty to billionaire status.
In a show filled with gold, glamour and extravagant lifestyles, Sajan’s journey from Mumbai’s streets to the top ranks of Dubai’s business world has become one of the most talked-about aspects of Desi Bling.
