Running for a total of 12 seasons on CBS, The Big Bang Theory gave almost all its characters a happy and satisfactory ending, except for one, Kunal Nayyar’s Raj. Much like Joey from Friends, Raj is left single by the series’ end, still searching for the love of his life.
Despite the character’s significant development over the course of the show, many fans were disappointed with how his story concluded. This dissatisfaction becomes even more apparent when comparing it to the actor’s flirtatious behavior at the Comic-Con panel, which suggests a more engaging potential storyline.
Kunal Nayyar’s Comic-Con Banter Highlights a Missed Opportunity on Sitcom
During a Comic-Con 2008 panel discussion, The Big Bang Theory cast was asked about the geekiest thing that they enjoyed. When it came to Kaley Cuoco, she initially found it difficult to answer, turning to co-star Jim Parsons for help.
Cuoco, however, eventually named ping pong as her geekiest thing. Parsons also added how the actress beat Kunal Nayyar in a behind-the-scenes match. And the Emmy-nominated actress gushed over her victory, saying,
It was fun. I had an outfit and everything. I had tube socks, it was entertaining.
However, Nayyar, who had lost the match to Cuoco, was quick to come back at his co-star with a humorous reply. “That’s why I lost,” he playfully said, highlighting his flirtatious charm.
Nayyar’s flirtatious banter with Cuoco demonstrates the engaging and charismatic persona that suggests that the makers could have closed the show for his character Raj a lot better than how it originally progressed.
The flirtatious exchange between Cuoco and Nayyar captured the lively and engaging personality that fans wished to see from Raj at the end of the sitcom, which he unfortunately did not get.
Kunal Nayyar on Raj’s Disappointing Ending in The Big Bang Theory
The ending for the hopeless romantic Raj Koothrappali in the beloved sitcom left fans divided, with many expressing their disappointment over his unfinished quest for true love.
However, the actor himself finds the conclusion for Raj perfect, as he shared during an interview with Metro. Reflecting on the irony and emotional impact of Raj’s storyline in the sitcom, the actor expressed appreciation that the showrunners avoided a predictable, formulaic ending for the character.
I find it quite poignant that the one character that believed in true love so much was the one who didn’t, in the end, find it — It’s beautiful! It doesn’t have to be so formulaic, that’s what I loved about the show.
He also suggested that while the show ended, the characters’ lives are still going on beyond the series. While he stated that he was unaware of how exactly things would have been for Raj, he hoped that he would still be having fun.
The Big Bang theory is available to stream on Max.
