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Dubai-based content creators and sisters Lailli Mirza and Alizeh Mirza 's stint in the Indian spin-off to the reality show Dubai Bling - Desi Bling has introduced them to an entirely new audience. During their recent visit to Mumbai, the duo spoke to Bombay Times about their growing popularity, first impressions of the city, reality television, and why fame hasn't changed them.
'We had pani puri and Vada Pav'
While Alizeh and Lailli had briefly visited Mumbai before individually, this was the first time the sisters got to truly experience the city. "We've had a really packed day, but it's been so much fun. We also had some pani puri today for the first time in Mumbai and it was great. We love Indian food, love pani puri. We even tried the Vada Pav for the first time," said Alizeh. Lailli added, "It was a great experience. We come every so often to India anyways."


Kala Ghoda has already become one of their favourite neighbourhoods. "I loved it. It's one of our favourite places to just hang out, shop and discover the small boutiques," Alizeh mentions. The sisters also enjoyed Mumbai's monsoon, albeit with differing opinions. "She absolutely loves it," Lailli says, pointing at her sister. "I'm not so keen. It's just a bit too humid for me and my hair can't handle it." Alizeh, however, says the city's rain has its own charm. "I spent a lot of my years in London, so I'm really used to the rain there. It's a little depressing there. Here it's more tropical. I definitely prefer the rain here."
Even Mumbai's paparazzi culture took them by surprise. "It was my first time," recalls Alizeh. "I was like, 'Whoa... there's a lot of people.'"
'We can't walk around looking like trash anymore'
Talking about the new found fame, the sisters admit the reality show did add to it. "It really has elevated things for us. I think more people approach us now, like even in the airport. Like just in Mumbai airport, we literally stepped off a plane and we had people in the luggage lounge recognise us," said Alizeh. Lailli quipped, "You can't walk around looking like trash anymore. You have to look put together 24/7."

'I think Bigg Boss could be interesting'
The popularity of Desi Bling has opened doors in India and the sisters admit they are keen to see where the journey takes them. Acting is firmly on the wishlist. "I feel like it's opened up so many doors for us already and we don't know where life's going to take us," says Alizeh. "I think it's a great starting point."
Lailli, meanwhile, already knows the kind of projects that excite her. "I like short films and indie stuff," she says, before revealing that she's already brushing up on her Hindi. "I do need to learn Hindi. So every morning I have grooms at my stables and they don't speak a word of English. I've been practising my Hindi with them. It's limited, but I'm trying."
Having enjoyed the experience of Desi Bling, the sisters aren't ruling out another reality show in India. In fact, they say saying yes to opportunities has worked well for them so far. Asked if Bigg Boss is something they would consider, Alizeh says, "Yeah, I think that could be interesting."
Lailli adds, "Maybe. Never say never. We never really planned on doing a reality TV show. One thing about us is that we don't really say no to opportunities. We like to explore all different kinds of opportunities. Reality TV wasn't something that we planned on doing, but it just felt right at that moment. It felt like the natural next step for us. So who knows?"
'We're very single'
The sisters may have become two of the most talked-about faces on Desi Bling, but there's no romance brewing off-screen. Asked if either of them is dating, the sisters burst into laughter before answering almost together. "We are single," says Lailli. "We're very single," adds Alizeh, laughing.