‘Deli Boys’ Season 2 Sees Fresh Dynamics, Says Stars Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh

Deli Boys’ Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh discuss Season 2 of their Hulu comedy series, including guest stars, hot felons, and whether the boys have grown into Deli Men.

There’s something in the air in Deli Boys Season 2. And it’s not just the spark of romantic chemistry between Auntie Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan) and the boys’ new business partner, Sugar (newcomer, Fred Armisen). 

No, there’s a comfortability and ease within the cast, and it’s something Asif Ali also noticed. 

“What we established in Season 1 was a familiarity with each other and the world,” says Ali, who plays Mir. “Now in Season 2, we already have a shorthand with each other. All of that was ready to rock.”

Saagar Shaikh, who plays Raj, says he was on a flight to LA and identified the changing cast dynamic while binging his own show. 

“The flight attendant looked at me and said, ‘You’re watching your own show on a flight?’” says Shaikh. “Yeah, I gotta get those numbers up! But while I was watching it, I did notice how our chemistry has changed from the pilot to Episode 10. And in season 2, we’re so much tighter and have a better understanding of the characters and the relationships they have with each other. I thought Season 2 was a nice crescendo of all that.”

Deli Boys Season 2 Plot

While the boys get entangled with Fred Armisen’s Sugar and Andrew Rannell’s politician Andrew Chadwater this season, there are also a slew of guest stars, including Kumail Nanjani. Plus, Shaikh’s Raj gets to moonlight as the Fuck Me Felon when his mugshot goes viral. 

“I saw a bunch of Luigi’s [Mangioni] interviews and how he conducted himself,” says Shaikh, “and how he doesn’t know how hot he is. Although now he definitely does. I tried to channel that energy.”

Ali remarks that Shaikh’s mugshots are really good, but that his character could never go viral for the same reason.

“My appeal is different,” says Ali. “If you gave him Excel spreadsheets, he’d knock it out. The satire is really cool to incorporate what’s going on now with what’s happening within the story of the show.”

“He could be the Eff Me, Accountant,” echoes Shaikh.

Check out my full interview with the Deli Boys, where we discuss whether they’ve grown into Deli Men. Watch or listen below!