Growing up in places with varied cross-cultural influences helped Kunal Nayyar, who has now made the U.S. his home for over a decade now, to evolve as a theatre and now television actor. And it is this comfort factor with his actors and the environment that has propelled him as star of American sitcom The Big Bang Theory .
With his all-powerful character of Rajesh Koothrappali, he is making waves on small screens (Zee Café) in India these days. In the Capital to promote his recent memoir “Yes My Accent is Real” (Simon & Schuster) where he has revealed his personal and professional experiences in a humorous, self-deprecating way, Kunal in a freewheeling interview talks about his long innings in the American sitcom. In any case, this actor can get the accent right whether it is Spanish, American, British and Irish. A big fan of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Hanks and Aamir Khan, Kunal is confabulating with filmmakers in India but says the upcoming projects would be unveiled in the coming years. A proud Indian, he still sleeps with a fan on, to give himself a sense of his roots!
Share with us your experience of working in The Big Bang Theory?
It has been an incredible experience working in this sitom for the past nine-and-a-half years. This is the middle of the ninth season. I hope it will continue for more seasons. It is an iconic television show and playing this character in Hollywood is a dream-come-true because I am getting to work with wonderful talented actors and also the quality of writing that is on the show. It is an opportunity which I would like to duplicate in my career.
Bagging this role was not a cakewalk; it required long auditions for producers, Warner Brothers, CBS, and even after bagging the role I was not sure when the show would be picked up. So you have to survive for 3-4 years. Process has been long but journey has been amazing.
What were the challenges you faced?
In some parts playing Raj was difficult like I am not as knowledgeable as astrophysicist in real life. The physical comedy was the most challenging part. Raj could not have conversations with girls without consuming alcohol.
To get into the skin of the character did you read astrophysics?
I did not read astrophysics; it is just acting. If an actor has to play a doctor he does not necessarily have to read books on medicine. But when the camera starts rolling I am mentally playing the astrophysics. After the episode concludes I do not remember all the equations.
Earlier India was seen as a land of snake charmers, yogis; characters for Indian actors were written on those lines. Now with India’s advancement in IT and science, artists like yourself are playing knowledgeable guys like astrophysicist. Is this not stereotyping of another kind?
It is great stereotyping if I can play smart brilliant Indian on television. It is a great thing. I do not believe in stereotypes. I don’t like to get into such conversations
Can we say interesting characters for South Asians are being written in Hollywood?
I think there is a big advancement in Indian characters on American television. There is Mindy Kaling who plays the lead character in her show and Aziz Ansari in Master of None . It is wonderful to be part of that movement. For a guy like me who comes from Delhi without bobbling my head or playing the stereotypical taxi driver to getting to playing a smart, intelligent character on American television is a big thing.
Was writing this book a cathartic experience for you?
Writing was a cathartic experience but I did not write it because I was looking for an emotional release. I wanted to share my story that here is a kid from Delhi who lives his dream of playing a smart, intelligent character in an iconic show. So they too can dream big and take risk.
This serial has been a learning experience as you got to know about selective mutism?
I did not know that it was a disease cause by psychological conditioning. That it comes from pathological shyness. One of the co-creators knew someone who was suffering from selective mutism. It is a real disease; I am glad I can raise awareness about it.
In the book there are quite a few romantic interludes; it seems that you were fascinated to take up theatre in order to befriend female actors?
As an 18-year-old, everyone is attracted towards girls. I gravitated to theatre mainly because I was lonely. The true test of acting is theatre as it helps you to physically embody characters.
You have written that attributes like colour of skin, accent are malleable but how your religion came in the way of friendship with Joycell Hayden?
That was one of those instances when my religion became an issue. It took me by surprise because I am tolerable of all people, love all people, irrespective of their faiths. So when I was confronted with this problem I thought it was important to write about it.
For someone used to the maddening traffic and chaos of New Delhi living in the United States must be a quiet affair?
Los Angeles is very quiet. I sleep with the fan on as I am used to sound. What saddens me is missing my parents, nephew, niece, birthdays and deaths. Once the show gets over I would be spending a lot more time at home.
Your father has been a big influence on you. Once he walked out of a restaurant because the waiter served foreigners first?
That is from where my sense of national pride comes from. I am proud to be an Indian and do not pretend to be anyone else.
