There is a rich tradition of crime meets comedy – on television, in film and even in other countries. From “Ocean’s Eleven” to “The Nice Guys” and “The After Party” on Apple TV+, It’s always fun to imagine the shit underworld filled with funny characters that don’t belong there. In India, Hindi films that “Andaz Apna Apna” And “Hera Pheri” and “Jaane Bhi do Yaaro” scratch the same itching and infuse life-or-dead efforts of illegal activity with good old-fashioned hijinks. It is the spirit alive and well in “Deli boys“The 10 section Hulu Debut now available to stream.
Created by Abdullah Saeed follows “Deli Boys” brothers Raj (Saagar Shaikh) and Mir (Asif Ali) after their father’s sudden death (IQBAL Theba) when inheriting a family business that could not be further from what they imagined. The body is barely cold before they are enclosed in a world of drugs and murder, with the FBI that circles ever closer to what looks like a criminal jackpot (fronted by a deli, hence the title). The series was developed by executive producers Jenni Konner and Nora Silver, with Michelle Nader as a showrunner.
It is not easy to find the right tone for a show with that log line, but “Deli Boys” puts it from the beginning. The boys’ baba dies tragically but absurd; There is physical comedy in every life -threatening situation, and always a punchline from the standalone raj or upwards and terrified Mir (sometimes punchline is a well timed screams). Board members Nisha Ganatra, Fawzia Mirza and Maureen Bharocha claim that style all the time, advanced by Shaikh and Ali’s instinctive rhythm and sore brotherly binding.
SPEAking of the All-Female Desi Directing Team, “Deli Boys” is stacked with south asian talent-from theba’s guest roles in flashbacks to brian George as the fritdeningly british uncle ahmed to the but who make up the busin As the Daughter of Indian Restaurant Owners with Whom the Dars (From Pakistan) Want to do business. Tan France guest stars in his first actor, with performances by Sakina Jaffrey, Kevin Corrigan and more.
Not enough can be said of Poren Jagannathan as the unclear, gun-totala happy (truthfully, no more terrible than the average aunt, except that she packs heat) that commands every store and frame, often in a leather jump. She may have lots of experience playing moms, but makes no mistakes: she’s mom.
“Deli Boys” never loses the thread of sadness, because the Dar boys mourn a man whom they realize that they loved but barely knew, but it focuses on crime capers more than emotional arches. A lot of character growth is off the screen, and the romantic relationships feel arbitrary than anything else – necessary on the page to market a TV show, but mostly temporary for what makes people want to watch this in the first place.
When the entire season drops at once, “Deli Boys” is not too dark, too violent or too explicit to look all the way immediately. It’s bizarre and funny and fun Enough to keep a viewer connected and hopefully to earn a second season. What is that they say in convenience stores? Yes, that.
Rating: B-
“Deli Boys” is now flowing on Hulu.
