New Delhi: Pakistani singer Ali Sethi has brought qawwali to Hollywood with a memorable cameo in Hulu’s dark comedy series Deli Boys. Appearing as himself, Sethi performs the timeless Sufi classic ‘Chaap Tilak’, introducing audiences to one of the Indian subcontinent’s most popular musical traditions.
The series, starring Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, and Poorna Jagannathan, was recently renewed for a second season and has expanded its cast with several new additions. Amid the show’s signature blend of chaos and comedy, Sethi’s appearance has become a topic of conversation on social media.
Rather than a dialogue-driven role, Sethi is featured as part of a traditional qawwali gathering. He is surrounded by fellow vocalists and musicians as he sings.
However, not everyone seems convinced by claims that Sethi has “brought qawwali to Hollywood”. Many fans were quick to highlight the pioneering role of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in bringing the genre to international audiences decades earlier. Khan died in London in 1997.
“Ali Sethi is a wonderful artist, but credit where it’s due. Nusrat ji took qawwali to global audiences, including Hollywood, decades ago. Ali is building on an already remarkable legacy,” one social media user commented.
Others criticised what they viewed as the commercialisation of Sufi music.
“I often wonder how many times Amir Khusro must be turning in his grave at the fetishization of his Sufi kalam, stripped of its spiritual depth and repackaged as background music for dance performances designed to make South Asian aesthetics appear exotic through a Western gaze. What was once an expression of divine love and devotion is now too often reduced to a cultural prop,” read a comment.
One user opted for far fewer words. “Tell me you’re Gen Z without telling me you’re Gen Z.”
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Rising representation for Brown people
Many fans rallied behind Sethi, praising him as a talented artist and applauding the visibility his appearance brings to Sufi music on a global platform.
The cameo also reflects a broader trend of increasing cultural representation for people of Indian and Pakistani origin in international entertainment. Deli Boys, which earned praise for its portrayal of Pakistani American experiences and its sharp comedic storytelling, has already featured notable Pakistani personalities, including fashion designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin. The show’s first 10-episode season is available on Hulu and Disney+.
More recently, the soundtrack of Riz Ahmed’s Bait, which follows a British-Pakistani actor aspiring to become the next James Bond, showcased desi musical influences, highlighting the expanding global reach of artistic traditions from the subcontinent.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)