Deli Boys
Television has long struggled to capture the nuances of second-generation immigrant experiences with the depth they deserve, but Abdullah Saeed’s Deli Boys offers a sharp, witty take on cultural identity, privilege and familial duty. A bold and vibrant exploration of South Asian American family dynamics, the Disney+ series follows two privileged Pakistani-American brothers, Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh), whose lives are upended by the sudden death of their father, Baba (Iqbal Theba) – a wealthy convenience store mogul with a clandestine double life as a crime boss. What unfolds is a riveting, darkly comedic dive into a dangerous underworld for which they are entirely unprepared.
Eschewing the well-worn immigrant narrative of hardship and assimilation, Deli Boys instead turns its focus to two sons who have reaped the rewards of their father’s labour without ever fully understanding its cost. Mir, the responsible heir apparent, is burdened by the weight of his father’s empire and the guilt of inherited privilege, while Raj, a hedonistic layabout, waltzes through life unbothered. Their clashing worldviews come into play as they navigate both the perils of their father’s criminal legacy and the expectations tied to it. With unexpected echoes of Succession, Saeed delves into inheritance and power, examining the complexities of legacy in a way that feels both fresh and timely.
Along with its poignant reflections on diasporic identity, the comedy strikes a perfect balance between high-stakes crime drama and razor-sharp humour, bolstered by its rich supporting cast and impeccable comedic timing. The brothers’ descent into organised crime is guided by their formidable Aunty Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan), a maternal figure to the boys and their father’s former right-hand woman, who exudes warmth and danger in equal measure. Their rivals bring a dramatic flair, with the sly and calculating Ahmed (Brian George) and the tough, menacing South London gang leader Zubair (Tan France).
However, Deli Boys goes beyond the easy laughs it provokes. It provides a sharp, socially aware examination of wealth, guilt, and identity – countering decades of stereotype-based humour with a gripping story and strong characters, while cultural themes flow through the narrative as an undercurrent. In a time when diasporic stories are still fighting for space on screen, Deli Boys marks an exciting and significant shift.
Christina Yang
Deli Boys is released on Disney+ on 6th March 2025.
Watch the trailer for Deli Boys here:
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