The Big Bang Theory star Kunal Nayyar reveals the real reason why Raj was single in the finale

The Big Bang Theory was more than just a sitcom; it was a cultural moment. Over the course of twelve seasons, it introduced audiences to a group of endearing nerds and let us grow with them through awkward first dates, big scientific wins, and heartfelt life changes. Among them, Rajesh Raj Koothrappali, played by Kunal Nayyar, was the hopeless romantic who seemed destined for his own fairytale ending. But when the final episode aired, Raj was still single, and fans were left wondering why.

Now, Kunal Nayyar is finally shedding light on that creative choice. According to the actor, Raj’s story wasn’t about ending up alone; it was about learning to be okay on his own. The finale was never meant to punish him or leave his arc unfinished. In fact, the decision to leave Raj single was one of quiet strength and self-realization.

Raj: the lovable dreamer of Caltech

When we first met Raj, he was a brilliant astrophysicist who couldn’t speak to women without a drink in his hand. His selective mutism was played for laughs, but it also showed us just how deeply vulnerable and socially anxious he was. And underneath all the awkward moments, Raj always had a huge heart. He adored romantic comedies, believed in soulmates, and wore his emotions on his sleeve, sometimes to his own detriment.

Unlike Sheldon or even Howard, Raj wasn’t afraid of love. He craved it. He just didn’t know how to find it.

A personal evolution, one episode at a time

Throughout the series, Raj made serious strides. He worked through his anxiety, pushed back against his controlling parents, and put himself out there time and time again in the dating world. There were flings, heartbreaks, near-marriages, and through it all, Raj kept searching.

That made it all the more surprising when, in the final episode, he’s the only one who doesn’t end up in a relationship. While Leonard and Penny are expecting a baby, and Sheldon and Amy win a Nobel Prize, Raj attends the ceremony solo.

Kunal Nayyar explains why Raj’s ending makes sense

Many fans assumed Raj’s story would tie up with him finding the one. After all, he nearly married Anu, a woman he met through an arranged setup in the final season. But the show steered away from that path, and there’s a reason for it.

In The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, Nayyar shared what that ending really meant:

"I thought it was very astute that the one person who wanted love so badly realizes maybe he needs to love himself first. It doesn't have to come through someone else, and that's a very lovely way to end a character's storyline. He grew so much in those last few seasons as a character, and you saw him become less and less dependent on all the things he thought he needed, which is very beautiful."

In short, it wasn’t a sad ending. It was an honest one. The writers gave Raj the space to keep growing beyond the show, to finally be content with who he was, without needing a partner to define him.

How fans and critics reacted

The choice to leave Raj single sparked a mix of emotions. Some viewers felt disappointed; they’d followed his emotional rollercoaster for years and hoped for a more traditional resolution. Others saw it as a bold, refreshing move. Not every arc needs to wrap with a wedding. Sometimes, the most powerful ending is one where the character just finds peace.

Critics were mostly supportive of the finale’s balance between sentiment and subtlety. While Raj didn’t get a big romantic gesture, he was part of the show’s emotional core. And by not forcing a love story where it didn’t fit, the writers honored his journey in a different way, one rooted in self-worth.

A quiet but powerful farewell

The final episode, The Stockholm Syndrome, aired in May 2019 and was a huge success, pulling in over 18 million viewers. It wrapped up each storyline with care, giving fans a proper send-off after more than a decade with these characters.

Raj’s future may have been left open, but it wasn’t uncertain. It suggested that life, and love, could still happen for him, on his own terms, outside the frame of the show.

Final thoughts

Looking back, Raj’s ending might be one of the most grounded decisions The Big Bang Theory made. It reminded viewers that growth doesn’t always come in the form of a partner or a ring. Sometimes, it looks like walking into a room alone and knowing you’re enough.

And as Kunal Nayyar so perfectly put it, there’s something deeply beautiful about a character realizing they can be their own happy ending.