*In Hulu’s “Deli Boys,” Poorna Jagannathan commands the screen as Lucky Auntie, a sharp-witted, take-no-prisoners force who pulls two clueless brothers into the criminal underworld.
“After their deli-tycoon father suddenly dies, Raj (Saagar Shaikh) and Mir Dar (Asif Ali), a pair of spoiled Pakistani-American brothers, lose everything and find out that their Baba was more drug lord than corporate magnate,” per the synopsis. “The freaked-out boys are ushered kicking and screaming (literally) into the underworld by their Lucky Auntie (Jagannathan) and her nemesis Ahmad Uncle (George). As Raj and Mir fumble from one ridiculous catastrophe to the next, every move they make is life or death. Because when your trust fund is gone, so is the luxury of screwing up.”
The 10-episode dark comedy, created by Abdullah Saeed, mixes high-stakes drama with razor-sharp humor as Raj and Mir Dar are forced to navigate their late father’s empire—one far more dangerous than they ever imagined. The series also stars Alfie Fuller as “Prairie” and Brian George as “Ahmad”. Watch the trailer below.
In an exclusive interview, Jagannathan opens up about stepping into Lucky Auntie’s formidable shoes, what drew her to the role, and why “Deli Boys” tells a story unlike any other.
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A Role Rooted in Fierceness
Jagannathan has built a career portraying strong, complex women, from her fan-favorite role as Nalini Vishwakumar in “Never Have I Ever” to the fiercely protective Lucky Auntie in “Deli Boys.” However, this character gave her the chance to channel an entirely new level of power.
“It was like the level of fierceness that women carry with us. You know how we navigate the world, how we navigate male-dominated spaces… we just have to be fierce. We got to be like gangsters.”
While her character in “Never Have I Ever” ruled her household with an iron will, Lucky Auntie brings that same commanding presence to the streets, wielding both cunning and brute force when necessary.
“(She is) nurturing and sweet and loyal and protective—all those wonderful maternal qualities,” Jagannathan explains. “But she will mow people down at the drop of a hat. No problem.”
Navigating Power in a Male-Dominated World
Lucky Auntie’s journey in “Deli Boys” is one of resilience and strategy. As she steps up to lead the Dar empire, she quickly realizes that, despite her years of experience, she still faces an uphill battle simply because she is a woman.
“You know, the obstacle is… you’re in male-dominated worlds. And you’ve got to be better, stronger, faster, smarter than anyone else in the room. And that is just Lucky in a nutshell,” Jagannathan shares.
Despite being the true brains behind the operation, Lucky Auntie is forced to install Raj and Mir as the new faces of the family business. It’s a frustrating reality, but one she approaches with her characteristic determination and sharp wit.
“She will outsmart anyone in a room in a second. But her journey is being someone’s right-hand man for so many decades, thinking she’s going to take full control, and understanding that she probably won’t because she’s a woman,” Jagannathan says. “She has to keep a grip on stuff and many times she’s losing it.”
A Show Unlike Any Other
“Deli Boys” brings a fresh perspective to the crime comedy genre, weaving South Asian representation, biting humor, and gripping drama into a truly unique experience. With a powerhouse cast and dynamic storytelling, it’s a must-watch for fans of both high-stakes thrillers and laugh-out-loud comedies.
Catch “Deli Boys” now streaming on Hulu and watch our full conversation with Poorna Jagannathan below.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh Share How First-Gen Life Influenced Roles in ‘Deli Boys’ | EUR Video Exclusive
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