Having recently completed its sixth season, The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular sitcoms airing on the American CBS
Network since September 2007. The show revolves around how the lives of
four scientists in Pasadena, California dramatically turn around when a
blonde-bombshell moves in across the hall.
The four 'nerds', highly socially awkward in their own ways, are then
catapulted into the real world that lies outside their virtual video
games, ensuing in the classic beauty-versus-geek battle.
Raj Koothrapalli, played by British born Kunal Nayyar is one of the
four nerds, portrayed as an Indian graduate from Cambridge (of course),
conducting research in the astrophysics department of the California
Institute of Technology ('Caltech'). Amongst his other bizarre character
traits, he has a condition known as 'selective mutism', which is just
fancy talk for the fact that he cannot get himself to talk to any girl.
Raj grew up in New Delhi to a wealthy family, causing much of the humour around his character to revolve around his Indian heritage.
Why he made the list:
The Parents
No Indian character can be complete without their over-bearing,
intruding "mummy and daddy" that have no other wish but to see their son
married off to a 'nice, Indian girl' (makes no difference that their
son cannot pursue girls to save his life, let alone talk to one!). In
the show, Raj frequently talks with his parents, Dr. V.M. and Mrs.
Koothrappali back in India
through his webcam. Oddly enough, they are always sitting in exactly
the same place each time, with the same gaudy red-and-gold drapes right
out of an elaborate Indian wedding hanging behind them. Their biggest
fear is the closest thing they have to a daughter-in-law is "that Jewish
boy," Howard, another main character who is Raj's best friend.
Leaves the country, instantly starts complaining:
"I don't want to go back to India! It's hot, and it's loud, and there
are so many people! You have no idea -- they're everywhere."- Raj
"Please don't send me back to India! It's so crowded. It's like the
whole country is one endless Comic-Con, except everyone's wearing the
same costume -- Indian Guy." - Raj
"Sorry, dude. The thermostat's on my side of the room, so it stays Mumbai hot in here until you turn off that stupid Indian music!" - Raj
And then there's just the absurd:
"Try finding a bagel in Mumbai to save your life. Schmear me" - Raj. Clearly he has never heard of JustDial!
"Raj: You know India?
Abby: I saw Slumdog Millionaire". Because we're all just a couple of rags-to-riches stories waiting to happen.
"I was on the radio once. I called in to Fever 104 FM New Delhi and was
the fourth person to say the phrase that pays, “Fever 104, Bahut Accha
Sangit ke maujooda" - Rajesh. Never heard this one on the radio before!
