‘Deli Boys’ aims to flip the script on the stories of guys behind the counter

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In a different setting, Iqbal Theba and Brian George stroll into a restaurant. They’ve chosen Devon Avenue, the vibrant heart of Chicago’s South Asian community, as their location, as they are there to shoot “Deli Boys,” Hulu’s latest action-filled comedy series with a touch of drama, affectionately known as a “crimedy.

In this TV series, Theba takes on the role of Arshad “Baba” Dar, a Pakistani businessman who owns DarCo, the ABC Deli chain’s proprietor. On the other hand, George portrays Ahmad Uncle, Baba’s partner in business and a cunning antagonist. Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh are the main characters, Mir and Raj respectively, who are Baba’s pampered sons. They eventually discover their father’s true occupation. The series creator, Abdullah Saeed, along with Ali and Shaikh, brought Theba and George to Devon Avenue, where the cast frequently enjoyed slow-cooked nihari stew after a day of filming.

In this context, there’s a sense of transition occurring. Babu, played by an actor who isn’t Pakistani as the “Seinfeld” character, is a significant role for George. Saeed remembers that Babu might have been the first Pakistani character he encountered in an American comedy series. Theba, who is indeed Pakistani, gained prominence on “Glee” as Principal Figgins and appeared on “Friends” (in its 100th episode) and “Seinfeld.” For Saeed, watching Theba portray a sophisticated, wealthy father and hearing George use his authentic accent, instead of being forced into stereotypical roles or altering their voices, held great significance. Unlike previous characters like Baba and Ahmad who were often confined to driving cabs or wearing turbans, these new characters, Babu and Ahmad, are fully developed and multidimensional.

Listening to them discuss their journey in this program during their final days, it was incredibly touching, as it’s clear that they truly cherish their work. Moreover, it seems that they had never before been able to perform their duties exactly as they had always imagined. (Shaikh)

The television series titled “Deli Boys,” debuting on Thursday, aims to present South Asians in an authentic yet unforced manner. Creator Saeed explains that he didn’t strive for representation; instead, he crafted a wild adventure and happened to introduce a Pakistani American family as the protagonists. When Baba, the family patriarch, dies unexpectedly after being struck by a golf ball, the FBI reveals that their wealth does not stem from the ABC Deli chain but rather from the spicy pickle known as achaar. Interestingly, Baba and his associates have been secretly smuggling cocaine within these pungent mango pickle containers.

Television

Following her impressive performances that challenged stereotypes in smaller but impactful roles on “The Night Of,” “Ramy” and others, the actress is now making a significant mark on the largest stage with Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever.

During a lively chat via video call from Disney’s Burbank office, Saeed, Shaikh, and Ali display a vibrant camaraderie reminiscent of pickled mango relish. They seamlessly complete each other’s thoughts, and their humor flows as effortlessly as the jokes they tell.

As a passionate cinephile, I proudly assert that our work isn’t about providing explanations or justifications. Instead, it’s all about the art of creation – pure and simple.

“Existing,” Asif added.

Shaikh explained, ‘We’re crafting our project,’ he said. ‘It’s not blatant or overly dramatic, nor does it aim to clarify anything. We’re simply a group of casual individuals being ourselves. That’s the essence.'”

“You can’t stage authenticity.

Saeed emphasized, “In every aspect of the show, we don’t care about societal norms and expectations. People are accustomed to seeing idealized minority characters on television, so when they see our characters falling short of perfection, they question why. The answer is simple – because we portray real people, with their flaws and imperfections. Whenever someone points out a social rule or assumption that our characters seem to be violating, I respond with ‘We don’t give a damn about it.’

This approach incorporates elements where the narrative direction can take unexpected twists. Saeed, the co-creator along with Jenni Konner (“Girls”), emphasizes his humor style as sudden, unanticipated turns, interspersing character development within major plot shifts and a dash of wit. “Deli Boys” showrunner Michelle Nader prefers “hard comedy.” In her words, she believes that half-hour comedies have shifted away from this approach due to streaming services. However, “Deli Boys” combines sharp humor without sacrificing a substantial storyline and genuine characters, striking the perfect balance.

In the script, there were numerous hilarious jokes written by Nader, Saeed, Mehar Sethi, Sudi Green, Feraz Ozel, Kyle Lau, Nikki Kashani and Ekaterina Vladimirova. However, when Shaikh and Ali joined the cast, they added their own unique humor to the mix. Mir was originally written as a more serious character, serving as a stand-in for the audience, but Ali, who is a comedian by trade, brought an element of levity to his portrayal. On the other hand, Raj was intended to be more of a party animal, but in a laidback way. However, Ali joked that he would rather “Die a Raj” or live long enough to see himself become a Mir. Initially, Saeed had envisioned himself playing Raj and Shaikh as Mir, but this changed once Ali became involved in the project, with Ali joking about getting paid after praising his fellow actors.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I find myself drawn to the intricate portrayal of the dual-brother dynamic in this story. On one hand, I can relate to it personally, as I too have an elder brother who’s significantly older and a younger half-brother, thus giving me a deep insight into sibling relationships. On the other hand, I perceive Raj and Mir as two distinct aspects of my own identity as a child of immigrants – a constant struggle between tradition and modernity, past and present, that I intimately understand.

As a cinephile, I’d say each character in our film represents an extreme end of two contrasting viewpoints. By setting them in various scenarios, we can truly showcase these polarizing perspectives. They stand as these intense extremes, constantly butting heads against each other. The reason for this relentless conflict, even to the point of insanity, I believe, is due to the unbreakable bond that exists between immigrant families and siblings. It’s a connection so strong, it allows us to push their interactions to the limit without fear of breaking it.

There’s also a hidden aspect to Baba’s past, which goes like this: Immigrant parents tend not to share every detail of their lives with us, even if it doesn’t involve anything as dramatic as a clandestine drug operation. As Saeed pointed out, they hold back information because they believe they are shielding us, but in reality, we would benefit greatly from knowing the truth about them. This knowledge would complete us, but they think they’re doing it for our own good. Ironically, this secrecy is actually causing harm and fostering a sense of distance.

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Either die as Raj or live to transform into a Mir.”

“It’s impossible to manufacture authenticity.”

“Every brother represents the two opposite ends of a spectrum of thoughts.” (Bexx Francois / For The Times)

In addition, there’s a lot of love in the mix. Baba intentionally hid the truth to safeguard his sons, and their confusion provided a convenient cover – this ambiguity was deliberate. Lucky Auntie’s firm discipline keeps the boys from experiencing any significant consequences. As Konner put it in an email, “At its heart, it is a very endearing family tale.” This emotional narrative allows us to explore the gore, humor, and unique ways people meet their ends.

There’s love too, among all the secrets. Baba hid the truth to keep his sons from worry – their confusion gave him an easy out – and Lucky Auntie uses her stern approach to shield them from any real repercussions. Konner described it as “a truly heartwarming family story” in an email. This emotional backbone lets us delve into the gruesome, humorous, and unconventional ways characters meet their ends.

As a fan following “Deli Boys,” I can relate to the idea that it’s all about family, yet the show’s tagline suggests that running a family business is anything but simple. This play on words, along with the ABC Delis, cleverly challenges the television trope of South Asian convenience store workers. Throughout his acting career, Ali has often found himself in roles like the gas station attendant. He shared, “It was disheartening to realize that this seems to be the extent of our cultural representation.” However, he added, “I know there are family members of mine who work in such situations, but they’re complex individuals with their own stories, families, responsibilities, and struggles. Yet, these aspects are rarely portrayed on screen.

But now, Ali said, they’re flipping the script.

We are given an insight into the entire life story of the man who works at the deli counter, revealing its various aspects – from cocaine-tainted, bloodstained, pickle-spotted, and sweat-drenched. This resonates with us as both Saeed and Shaikh have held similar positions. Interestingly, Shaikh admitted that he occasionally smoked behind his counter, a rebellious act during his teenage/college years – a classic case of being a Raj. Moreover, Shaikh’s father and brother have put in considerable effort to maintain the family-run gas station, which they hold dear as it represents their family business, something they take great pride in, and a legacy they wish to uphold.

Speaking about the show, Shaikh expressed, “This role was the pinnacle of my career, and it feels nothing else will have the same significance for me. All I yearn for is to return to it again and again.

Ali stated, ‘We’ve created something that propels us towards a path I believe we should be taking – one of exploration and breaking boundaries for those who resemble us. It’s not just about reinforcing stereotypes about who we are as individuals. Instead, the true triumph lies in crafting something genuinely fresh and innovative.’

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2025-03-06 14:32