The Big Bang Theory alum Kunal Nyyar regales he doesn’t revisit the show

The Big Bang Theory may have wrapped up in 2019, but its place in pop culture is as strong as ever. For 12 seasons, it gave us a quirky and heartfelt look into the lives of four brilliant scientists and the people who orbit them. While millions of fans still find comfort in binge-watching old episodes, one of its stars, Kunal Nayyar, recently admitted something surprising, he barely ever revisits the show.

Speaking candidly on The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast, Nayyar said that going back and watching himself as Raj Koothrappali feels... complicated.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever sit and rewatch the whole series,” he confessed.

“It’s not about not loving it, it’s just hard to see myself from that time.”

For fans who’ve grown used to cast members sharing sweet throwbacks and nostalgic reflections, the honesty in his answer was refreshingly real.

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A show that changed the way we see nerds

Back in 2007, when The Big Bang Theory quietly made its way onto TV screens, no one could’ve predicted just how big it would become, not even the people making it. It started out as this offbeat little show about four brilliant but socially clumsy guys, Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj, who were more comfortable talking about quantum physics than real-life emotions. Then came Penny, their new neighbor, full of charm, wit, and the kind of confidence they didn’t quite know how to handle.

What followed wasn’t just a series of science jokes and comic book banter. The show found its magic in the in-between moments, the awkward silences, the unlikely connections, the messy, funny, sweet way these very different people learned to show up for each other. Somehow, it made obsessing over string theory and fumbling through first dates feel equally endearing.

But more than that, it gave viewers a new kind of TV hero: one who loved comic books, had trouble with small talk, and didn’t always get the girl, and that was okay.

Over the years, The Big Bang Theory racked up ratings, awards, and die-hard fans. It sparked spin-offs like Young Sheldon, and a new one is now in development around Georgie and Mandy, proving the universe it built is still very much alive.

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Raj: sweet, awkward, and endlessly lovable

Raj Koothrappali was the heart of the group in many ways. A brilliant astrophysicist from India, Raj had one very specific challenge: he couldn’t speak to women unless he was drunk. That quirk was played for laughs early on, but over time, the character evolved.

He slowly gained confidence, opened up emotionally, and started putting himself out there in relationships. And while Raj ended the series single, unlike most of his friends, he left a lasting impression as someone full of warmth, hope, and vulnerability.

Raj’s bromance with Howard (Simon Helberg) was also a fan favorite. Their friendship gave the show some of its funniest and most heartfelt moments, from matching outfits to accidental couple vibes, their chemistry was undeniable.

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Kunal Nayyar after the final bow

Though Big Bang was his breakout role, Kunal Nayyar hasn’t slowed down since the finale. Born in London and raised in New Delhi, he studied acting in the U.S. and got his start on stage before making the leap to TV.

Since leaving Raj behind, he’s taken on more dramatic roles, including Criminal: UK, voiced characters in Trolls, and starred in the sci-fi drama Spaceman alongside Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan.

He’s also known behind the scenes for his sense of humor, sometimes a little too much. On the podcast, he laughed about how often he broke character during filming, especially in scenes with Helberg.

“I was the worst,”

he said.

“I’d just start cracking up every time.”

That habit apparently annoyed some castmates, but it also added to the authenticity of their dynamic.

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Why he finds it hard to look back

For Nayyar, rewatching the show isn’t about rejection, it’s about emotional distance. Spending over a decade playing the same character is no small thing. It becomes part of your identity. And when that chapter closes, stepping back into it can feel strange, maybe even too vulnerable.

He admits that once in a while, he’ll put an episode on in the background, not to watch it actively, but just to feel close to the energy of that time.

“It’s comforting, but I can’t dive in fully,” he said.

Maybe one day, with more time and space, that might change.

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Any chance Raj could return?

With Young Sheldon wrapping up and a new spin-off in the works, many fans are wondering if we’ll ever see Raj again. For now, Nayyar says there’s nothing on the table. He hasn’t been approached about reprising his role and isn’t chasing it either.

But he’s not completely shutting the door.

“If the timing’s right and the story makes sense… who knows?” he said with a smile.

“If the universe says yes, I’ll be there.”

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A quiet legacy that still speaks volumes

Even if he avoids watching the show, Nayyar deeply appreciates what Raj meant to fans, especially those who saw themselves in him. As one of the rare South Asian leads in a mainstream American sitcom, Raj represented something more than laughs.

“I still get messages from people saying they felt seen,” Nayyar shared.

“That’s a beautiful thing. That stays with me.”

While he focuses on new projects and personal growth, fans will continue to revisit the laughs, the awkward moments, and the friendships that made The Big Bang Theory special. And somewhere in the background, maybe even without sound, Raj Koothrappali will always be reminding us that it’s okay to be exactly who we are.