When looking at Hulu’s new crime comedy Deli Boys, starring Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, and Poorna Jagannathan, you could have two separate shows from its premise. One would be a satire of two very spoiled, rich Pakistani-American brothers who lose everything after their beloved deli-tycoon father dies and how they work hard to honor his legacy. The other would be a much darker comedy where the two become entangled in the evildoings their drug lord “Baba” (Urdu for father) engaged in, never once flinching from violence and gore weaved between identity struggles and the ever-relatable feeling of faking it till you make it. Thankfully, the fast, irreverent, and deeply funny series opts to be both, while cranking up a frenetic fish-out-of-water spiral for laugh-out-loud levels of humor and chaos.
Created by Abdullah Saeed and developed by showrunner Michelle Nader and executive producer Jenni Konner, Deli Boys is a triumph for Hulu. Between colorfully grounded performances and a sharp, focused story and humor that will have you in stitches, it’s without a doubt one of the year’s best new comedies. Hailing from the Onyx Collective and produced by 20th Television, there’s something endearingly fresh and thrillingly unpredictable about Deli Boys. While it brilliantly balances absurdity with authenticity, the 10-episode series, made available in its entirety for review, also immerses viewers in its achaar-filled world where two clueless brothers are suddenly in way over their heads.
What Is ‘Deli Boys’ About?

Image via Hulu

Deli Boys follows brothers Mir (Ali) and Raj (Shaikh), who have been sailing through life under the veil of their wildly successful father, Baba (Iqbal Theba). Unfortunately, that changes when he unexpectedly dies in a golfing accident, turning their world upside down. What should have been a straightforward inheritance of the “family business” shifts into a nightmare where the brothers discover their beloved father isn’t just a deli kingpin but a full-fledged drug lord in Philly. Having no basic business knowledge, zero street smarts, and the softest survival instincts, these two overgrown nepo babies are thrown into the deep end of an empire they never asked for. Though Raj retreats into delusion and younger brother Mir leans on his inherently anxious nature, their only hope is the no-nonsense, sharp-tongued, and occasionally terrifying, Lucky Auntie (Jagannathan). With deep care for Baba and the boys, her ruthless instincts and utter disregard for their whining make her both their best asset and drill sergeant.
As the brothers fumble through their unwanted inheritance, a kaleidoscope of disorder follows, from tracking down a half-dead naked man in the streets to botching an attempt to unload cocaine, all while trying to temper the sentiments of the FBI, Peruvian gangs, and “Paki Blinders.” The two are not made for this and their frazzled interactions and naive assumptions prove it. But they sincerely try to honor Baba, even if it means for all comical purposes one of them is slowly turning into Michael Corleone. What follows are some of the funniest moments as each half-hour episode cranks up the tension, hilarity, and story.
From the minute the show opens, Deli Boys is running right out the door — literally. There’s not only a lot of intrigue that builds quickly, but those first few moments set the show’s tone with a frenzied energy felt across the season. But while we don’t get a chance to learn much about who the brothers’ mother is or even get a glimpse of their friends outside their business, we still get a deep understanding of the brothers through their chaotic, often ridiculous journey. Even without delving into their past relationships or personal lives in detail, Deli Boys is refreshingly feverish, effectively building a world that is richly developed and satisfyingly unpredictable.
‘Deli Boys’ Thrives on Its Characters and Pitch-Perfect Casting

Naturally, a show this laugh-out-loud funny with such lively “masala-walla” characters is only as good as its casting. The chemistry between Ali and Shaikh is not only fun to watch, but absolutely charming. These two slip into the sibling dynamic perfectly while bringing depth and dimension to their shared goofball adventures. With their push and pull of tension and the quest for answers, they also prove in some moments that they are the millennial versions of the Marx Brothers, with comedic timing and delivery that offers a masterclass in slapstick humor.
Ali’s arc as Mir is filled with moments where his forced confidence crumbles under pressure, allowing us to see a rather nuanced, dynamic performance where his character slowly begins to realize he’s out of his element at every turn. Meanwhile, Shaikh delivers sharp, focused comedy as Raj, the perpetual slacker who moves between being the most useless person in the room to an accidental genius. Blissfully unaware of the absurdity surrounding him, even as disaster lurks around every corner, there’s a strong depth to his performance that makes him a compelling watch.

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But as the brothers are the chaotic heart of the show, Jagannathan’s Lucky Auntie is its ruthless soul. Effortlessly cool, as well as terrifying and hilarious, Jagannathan’s sharp tongue and no-nonsense approach make her a real standout. Striking and dazzling in every scene she’s in, she isn’t just the maternal figure they need, but someone who is their true consigliere. Of course, there’s her nemesis, Ahmed Uncle, played spiritedly by Brian George, a scene-stealing presence who perfectly juggles being both an untrustworthy ally and a pompous, out-of-touch patriarch. His smug superiority, coupled with moments of genuine menace, makes every interaction between the brothers and Lucky a ticking time bomb.
Beyond its central cast, Deli Boys boasts a deep bench of stellar supporting performances from the likes of a magnetic Alfie Fuller as Raj’s shaman and hipster love interest; a sharply-dressed and flawless Tan France as British Pakistani South London gang leader, Zubair; Tim Baltz and Alexandra Ruddy, who play off each other brilliantly as FBI agents while trying (and failing) to keep up with the madness; Chris Elliott leaning into his offbeat energy, and finally, Kevin Corrigan’s eccentric and almost cartoonish, Chickie Lozano — or is it Lasagna? No one gets it right.
‘Deli Boys’ Sets the Gold Standard for Crime Comedies

But what makes Deli Boys stand out isn’t just its hilarious premise or the striking performances from a spirited ensemble. As one of the more pointed comedies on TV, the commitment to breakneck pacing and razor-sharp writing elevates the series. Never wobbling once with every episode being purposeful, Deli Boys delivers an unrelenting stream of laughs thanks to its snappy writing. A lot of this can be credited to Saeed, whose comedic tale comes from a place of immense heart. Alongside a talented team like Nikki Kashani and Ekaterina Vladimirova contributing diverse voices for well-rounded characters, Deli Boys does its story best when it takes hard turns when you least expect it. It’s an ambitious move that is rarely done well in the sitcom atmosphere, but it pays off in every episode flawlessly.
With this kind of writing, every episode moves like a high-stakes heist gone disturbingly wrong, with Mir and Raj getting deeper into trouble in ways that feel ridiculous but weirdly believable. It’s an uproarious, bloody show, and it doesn’t make you forget it, as the siblings make more messes than necessary. With its comedic set pieces also structured so carefully, Deli Boys plays out like a film with a theatrical framework that gives off vibes reminiscent of Burn After Reading or even a mixture of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie with its frenetic, intense pace. But while it’s quick to maximize its humor, the show is also richly layered with precise, intentional storytelling that builds absurdity for a distinct comedic payoff.
As a show that is one of the year’s biggest surprises, Deli Boys sets itself apart from other crime comedies in how it embraces its cultural identity without ever making it the sole focus of the show. Sure, the series is unapologetically South Asian, weaving in Urdu phrases, Pakistani food, and nods to pop culture, but it’s also super organic in ways that feel specific yet accessible. As a win for representation and a community often villainized on the big and small screen, Deli Boys is an entertaining crime comedy that resonates with everyone as it offers insight into Pakistani-American culture, particularly the balance between cultural identities, and the challenges that come with it. Ultimately, it is a chaotic, irreverently funny, and refreshingly unpredictable series that will hook you in like a strong, bold cup of chai and leave you wanting more.
Deli Boys premieres March 6 on Hulu in the U.S.

Deli Boys

Deli Boys is a wildly funny and absurd crime comedy.

Release Date

March 6, 2025

Network

Hulu

Writers

Michelle Nader

Pros & Cons

Deli Boys successfully balances absurdity with moments of genuine tension.
With perfect comedic timing from a strong ensemble, the cast adds the right amount of heat and masala to the mix.
Deli Boys might be rooted in South Asian culture, but it is accessible for all viewers.

The lack of exploring the brothers’ personal lives and relationships, such as with their mother or friends might raise questions with viewers.