Hulu’s latest crime comedy, Deli Boys, blends the perfect balance of humor and gore, making it a binge-worthy addition to your watchlist! The storyline follows two Pakistani American brothers, Raj Dar (Saagar Shaikh) and Mir Dar (Asif Ali), as they uncover their father Baba’s (Iqbal Theba) secret life as a drug dealer. After this shocking discovery, they’re forced into running the family business—with the no-nonsense guidance of their hardcore Lucky Auntie (Poorna Jagannathan). Once spoiled nepo babies, the brothers are now learning the true meaning of hard work—and getting their hands dirty, literally.
Adding to the madness is the fact that Raj and Mir are total opposites, delivering some of the show’s funniest and most tense moments. Raj is more zen, playful, and relaxed. On the other hand, Mir is always on edge—stressed about their next move and constantly trying to prove how smart he is with his business degree from Drexel University (a running gag that annoys his family). Their opposing personalities often lead to them fighting and making up. Although they never see eye to eye, Raj and Mir bond over protecting each other from being murdered or arrested. This is especially true as blood is constantly splashed on them after covering up their heinous acts while working at their family’s convenience store.
Despite the excessive bloodshed, Deli Boys doesn’t dive too deep into the dark, wickedness of building a drug empire. Instead, it leans into its comedic side. With pop culture references, jokes cracked amid chaos, and the characters’ sharp sarcasm, the show never takes itself too seriously. This lack of pure evilness adds to the satire of a typical crime story, making the show even more hilarious—it even feels like a parody at times.
Spirituality and Crime Don’t Mix—Or Do They?
Throughout the show, Raj and Mir try to connect with their late father by stepping into his role in the drug empire. This journey even leads Raj to have hallucinations, where the spirit of Baba tells him he’s on the right path—and he begins to believe that a black neighborhood cat is Baba reincarnated. In doing so, they hope to learn more about themselves and understand why Baba kept his secret life hidden from them.
With all the dangerous missions, the truth becomes clear. Like in episode 6, “Lucky Boys,” Lucky Auntie is kidnapped by gang leader Zubair (Tan France) after realizing that the trio killed their cousin Hamza. Since Raj is so in tune with his inner self, he looks for signs in the universe. When Ahmad recites lyrics from Drake’s song “IDGAF,” Raj intuitively realizes she’s being held at The Drake Hotel. After getting caught while trying to save her, Zubair ties them up but chooses to let them go after they all openly grieve the loss of Baba. Their conversation even leads to Zubair’s partner saying, “Clearly, our blood feuds are just another external manifestation of unresolved trauma.” Despite this revelation, they snap out of bonding and proceed to a duel, with the trio winning, of course. At least Raj saved them all by using his third eye.
While Raj seems to be corrupted by his family’s criminal business, his spiritual side continues to shine through, especially in his open relationship with his girlfriend, Prairie (Alfie Fuller). She’s not just his lover but his shaman, always cleansing his aura. Raj even refers to her as his twin flame because she understands him deeply. However, their love faces a major obstacle when Prairie is forced to become a mole and spy on the Mirs crime organization. At first, she doesn’t believe it, chalking the FBI’s suspicions up to Raj’s Pluto being in his fourth house, which signifies crazy upheaval. Thanks to her positivity, Prairie was a joy to see on screen, providing a sense of calm amidst the turmoil. Unfortunately, she had to disappear after Lucky Auntie ordered her to run, leaving us with a bittersweet farewell.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a crime-centered show filled with laughter, conflicts, and love, Deli Boys is a must-watch. Here’s hoping for a season two—we’re crossing our fingers to see if the Mir family gets away with everything!
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