After securing his breakthrough role as Rajesh Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory, Kunal Nayyar quickly rose to fame, even earning a staggering $1 million per episode at a time and becoming one of the highest-paid TV actors.
However, his shining ascent was marred by a shocking twist when he was abruptly fired even before the filming began. The situation only escalated tensions, with Chuck Lorre, the show’s creator, fiercely advocating for his return.
Kunal Nayyar Was Abruptly Fired From The Big Bang Theory
Going in for the audition of The Big Bang Theory, Kunal Nayyar had minimal expectations. Despite being relatively new to the industry, Nayyar impressed the creators and was cast as the astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali.
However, before things could move forward, he was abruptly fired by network executives. In Jessica Radloff’s The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, showrunner Chuck Lorre reflected on how a CBS executive had decided to remove Nayyar from the role.
When I landed in New York for the upfronts, I was informed that Kunal wasn’t there — Apparently… a CBS executive determined—unilaterally—that Kunal wasn’t right for the role and we would recast that part.
Lorre was infuriated by the decision, especially since he hadn’t been consulted. And the showrunner made it clear that he would not let someone else’s decision impact the show’s direction.
I was furious. They made this decision without consulting me. […] I called the execs at CBS and said, ‘You can’t fire him — He’s my guy.’ If I’m going to fail, I’m going to fail on my own choices. I’m not going to fail on someone else’s choices.
Lorre also acknowledged that the character’s direction was still uncertain, admitting that Nayyar’s dismissal was partly due to their own struggle with defining the character. And he assured the actor that he would remain on the show, regardless of the turmoil.
Kunal Nayyar Expressed Deep Gratitude For Chuck Lorre’s Support
While shocking to Chuck Lorre, the news truly devastated Kunal Nayyar, anxiously facing an uncertain future with his role as Raj. However, despite the turmoil, Chuck Lorre managed to get Nayyar reinstated on the show.
In Jessica Radloff’s book, Nayyar shared that he was initially surprised when CBS flew all four cast members to New York except him. With doubts creeping in about his return, his agent delivered the life-changing news that he was officially back on The Big Bang Theory.
I remember falling on the floor in my apartment on my knees and weeping. Just weeping. Because it had been almost forty-five days of not knowing. And that’s a very difficult place to be in.
He expressed gratitude for Lorre’s support during the challenging time, acknowledging that Lorre, an experienced and respected figure, stood up for him despite his lack of experience and the network’s initial doubts.
He also described the whole ordeal as part of his journey to prove himself in the industry. Nayyar’s perseverance paid off, as he went on to become one of TV’s highest-paid actors, earning $1 million per episode during the last few seasons of the show.
The Big Bang Theory is available to watch on Max.
