That alone is a step forward.
Its in the writing.
Abdullah Saeed didnt want to write a didactic story about identity…
Sagaar Shaikh, Asif Ali, and Poorna Jagannathan in ‘Deli Boys.‘James Washington/Disney
He just wrote it for jokes.
This is his sense of humor.
Indeed, the three of us find it hilarious.
to get to make this work I had to lean into stereotypes.
But if you go deeper into the stereotype, then the humor actually lifts.
What if we made a show like this?
This script felt like it was genuinely just an insane idea this guy came up with.
Saagar Shaikh:Every South Asian persons story is different we have completely different experiences.
One thing I added toDeli Boyswas in Episode Four when we were cutting cocaine in our underwear.
It was really cool that we had that shorthand.
AA:There was this open dialogue.
AA:Youve been in New York too long.
PJ:Wait, did you not have to shit in an Indian toiletever?!
SS:[Laughs.]
Lets talk about this for 10 more minutes.
AA:This will be the headline: Shitting in Toilets in the Motherland and Other Things.
There was no sense of Lets see what happens.
Or a Ill show up and do whats needed.
I wont do anything more.
Nice meeting you guys.
Well never text again punch in of vibe.
It didnt feel like that.
You cant expect everyone to have the same level of desperation.
But it felt like everyone understood how rare this kind of show is to get made.
It really did feel like everyone was going for it.
PJ:I imagineSaturday Night Livewas our set.
I was super surprised someone didnt walk into the room and say, Playtime is fucking over.
SS:Yeah, because of that were seen as lacking experience.
Theres a little less trust from the producers.
Without that trust, we cant show off what we are capable of doing.
What a joy to have somebody like him.
SS:We had a secret meeting, the three of us, in the hotel conference room.
We made a wishlist of our ideal cast list for guest stars and co-stars in this show.
Tan France was at the top of the list.
PJ:I texted him and was like, Would you be up for it?
He was so nervous, but hell tell you it was his most favorite thing in his whole career.
AA:He did such a great job.
And hes the nicest man in America.
PJ:And he validated us.
Its a big deal to have Tan France as part of our cast.
I would be a spy.
Ive always wanted to be a spy.
SS:I cantotallysee that.
AA: Youd be so good.
You know five languages
PJ:I know seven different languages.
AA:And you have a very put-together vibe about you.
People want to believe you.
You have the vibe of someone who gets what they want.
I grew up on James Bond movies.
They were the only movies we were allowed to watch.
Because its an homage toFridaywith Chris Tucker and Ice Cube a classic comedy movie.
And we all laughed.
A lot of the time I would do things and wouldnt know if it would fit in the show.
What if Saagar and I both did it at the same time, just like in the movie?
Can we keep that in?
When we got to this episode, I was so happy that it stayed in.
SS:Me too!
AA:If you understand the reference it becomes twice as funny.
SS:People arent talking about that moment.
PJ:Isha, can you bump up that moment?
Maybe its a slow release, people will watch it again and notice.
I know the Philadelphia Eagles colors are green and white, which are the same colors of thePakistanflag.
It says Ameristan on the back, but no ones talking about it.
Deli Boysis awash with clever references like that, especially toThe Godfather.
AA:That is fromThe Godfatherthough.
PJ:Also, Abdullahs father-in-law is Albert S. Ruddy, the producer ofThe Godfather.
SoThe Godfatheris deeply embedded in Abdullahs veins.
it’s possible for you to explain and understand so much from food.
My family is from Hyderabad inIndiaand Saagars family is from Hyderabad in Pakistan.
Biryani would be my number one because its so layered.
I dont want anyone under 65 touching it I need the wisdom of three generations in this biryani.
AA:Which I can never eat in India because of the water.
PJ:I mean, the diarrhea is also part of the experience.
The intense pleasure and regret is part of the meal.
Its likeDeli Boys: pleasure and pain.
Not heavily reliant on an explanation or plea for humanity from the audience.
Any sort of step in that direction is great for any community it normalizes and humanizes them.
SS:Weve never been afforded the opportunity of being human beings with flaws and conflicted thoughts.
Were written to be pigeonholed into very specific things.
Were just normal people that happen to be brown.
PJ:Weve never seen brown people be completely unserious.
Theres always a fucking message or teaching to be learned.
If youre not interested in starting a life together, dont waste my time.
And Im looking for someone with at least a graduate degree.
SS:Rajs would say: Now looking for new applicants for orgy cabal, anyone can apply.
I feel like your character would not have any pictures on her profile because shes such a high-profile woman.
Seeking discreet meet-up, message for info.
PJ:Love the vibe, thank you.
