Hulu's 'Deli Boys' captures the complexities of the South Asian diaspora's identity politics through humor. The series follows Pakistani American brothers Raj and Mir Dhar, who inherit a criminal enterprise after their father's death. In a humorous episode, they spoof the trope of racial bullying with a clever twist, illustrating how reductive past identities can mask the diversity of experiences. The show deflects serious discussions around ethnicity in favor of humor, presenting a fresh take on cultural narratives while entertaining audiences with its screwball comedy style.
"In the world of Deli Boys, this is neither a reference to a racial slight nor a rebuke of its exaggeration; it's simply a trope to be played with."
"The screwball comedy created by Abdullah Saeed centers on Raj Dhar and Mir Dhar, a pair of pampered Pakistani American brothers forced to take over a criminal family enterprise."
"As much as any show centering brown Muslim characters can, the show dodges any questions of identity politics that aren't in service of jokes."
"Today, the phrase 'White kids made fun of my lunch' is less a referendum on this specific grievance than a shorthand for the way that era's reductive identity politics flattened the varied cultural experiences of millions."
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