From Mumbai's alleys to Dubai's heights: The incredible rise of entrepreneur Anis Sajan

The vice-chairman of the Danube Group is a shining example of the 'UAE dream', which has come to fruition because of three decades of hard work

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From the cramped bylanes of a Ghatkopar chawl in Mumbai to the towering skyline of Dubai, Anis Sajan's journey is a testament to resilience, foresight, and an unwavering belief in building trust, one brick at a time.

Necessity in Arab and Asian cultures. Every household in these countries ensures that the first thing they install is a shattaf. "I saw an opportunity and I capitalized on it," he explains. The shattaf gave wings to the brand Milano, which is now the heart of Danube Building Materials.

Today, as vice-chairman of the Danube Group, Sajan leads one of the most recognized names in the Middle East's building materials and real estate sectors. But his beginnings were humble.

"I started selling decorative lights during Diwali in our neighborhood. Earning ₹300 at the time felt like a fortune," he recalls with a smile.

His early years were shaped by struggle and sacrifice. After their father passed away in 1979, his elder brother Rizwan dropped out of college to support the family. He began by making box files and eventually became a salesman in Kuwait.

After the Gulf War, he moved to Dubai in 1993 and laid the foundation for the Danube Group with a small trading business focused on building materials.

"My brother is my mentor and my biggest inspiration," says Sajan. "But he didn't hand me anything on a plate. I had to earn every bit of my place."