Deli boys season 2: auntie lucky gets a shockingly sexy upgrade
The darkly comedic crime series, Deli Boys, returns for a second season, and this time, it’s all about the complicated, utterly ruthless Auntie Lucky. Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh’s Dars continue their chaotic journey through the family’s legacy, but it’s Poorna Jagannathan’s performance that truly steals the show.
Auntie lucky’s unexpected romance – and a whole lot of power
Season 2 sees Lucky, a longtime associate of the Dar’s late father, entangled in a surprising relationship with fellow crime boss Max Sugar, played with deliciously understated menace by Fred Armisen. Jagannathan expertly navigates a vulnerability she’s never before showcased, revealing a desire for the stability and control that Lucky has long suppressed. ‘It was fantastic,’ she explains, ‘Just giving her a love interest also gave her a built-in backstory, because she has to learn how to be in a relationship. She’s probably killed everyone she doesn’t get along with.’
But Lucky’s ambitions extend far beyond a simple romance. She’s observing Max Sugar's carefully constructed empire – a network built on delegated tasks and functional, albeit somewhat dimwitted, operatives – and yearning for a similar level of influence. ‘It’s a world that is super appealing and sexy to her,’ Jagannathan admits. ‘She’s like, oh, this is what my life could be if I was the boss and could actually delegate and had actual functioning human beings helping me, not these two complete dumbasses.’
Fashion as a weapon: lucky’s style evolution
The show’s costume design, spearheaded by Cailey Breneman, is a key component of Lucky’s character arc. Season 2 leans heavily into the ’90s, pulling inspiration from both supermodels and Bollywood stars. ‘There was a really great rehearsal process between Fred and I,’ Jagannathan recalls. ‘We jumped right in; there’s an immediate attraction and clothes come off right away.’ One particularly striking ensemble – a red Mugler dress from Season 1 – finally made its debut, showcasing Lucky’s increasingly confident and decadent style. ‘She has such an inimitable sense of style,’ Jagannathan says. ‘I 1000% was waiting for this character to come into my life, because her style and sensibility and silhouettes are things I had never worn before and that I can now never imagine not wearing.’
The meticulous attention to detail extends beyond the main costumes. A custom-made suit from Indian brand 431-88, tailor-made for Lucky, stands as a testament to the show’s commitment to crafting a fully realized character. ‘We built on the shoulders of Season 1, sensibility-wise…and we just added pads,’ Jagannathan jokes, highlighting the subtle yet impactful evolution of Lucky’s aesthetic.
A performance of calculated risk
Working with Fred Armisen was a masterclass in restraint. ‘The most interesting thing about working with Fred is watching him,’ Jagannathan observes. ‘When there’s a joke written in, I do everything to pounce on it and amplify it and make sure it lands and make sure it’s communicated, but Fred will just be with the joke. He just doesn’t chase it. He lets the joke come to him. He’s that much of a comedic legend.’ The dynamic between Lucky and Max Sugar is a carefully calibrated dance of power and desire, a simmering tension that elevates the show’s already sharp wit.
Deli Boys is not just a crime comedy; it’s a nuanced exploration of family, ambition, and the surprising vulnerabilities hidden beneath layers of calculated ruthlessness. Season 2 proves that Auntie Lucky is more complex, more alluring, and more dangerous than ever before.