‘The Big Bang Theory’: Raj's Character Was Inspired By True Events

Much has been said about Kunal Nayyar’s character, Raj Koothrappali, in “The Big Bang Theory.” The intellectual’s peculiar inability to socialize with the opposite sex, thanks to his selective mutism, added a zing to his role.

It turns out, however, that the trait was penned by writer Bill Prady after being inspired by true events. It has now been revealed that a friend of cocreator Prady suffered from a similar syndrome, which served as an impetus behind Raj’s character in the show.

The awkwardness is a real health issue. “The character is based on a friend of Bill Prady’s who had this pathological shyness,” said Nayyar. “He’s since gotten married and had kids, so he’s been cured of it,” added Nayyar in the report by Express.

The show, which has amassed widespread popularity, also essayed how Raj finally overcame this challenging condition. In Season 6 of the show, he was finally heartbroken by Lucy.

When Penny, played by Kaley Cuoco, offered him a shoulder to cry on, she opined that he was being overly emotional, owing to the alcohol he consumed, as this had been the only way that Raj could actually interact with women before.

But Raj revealed that he hadn’t had any alcohol that time, and thus the realization that he had been cured of mutism struck him. And this, clearly, was the start of all good things for the young man.

He went on to date multiple women — Emily, played by Laura Spencer, and Claire, played by Alessandra Torresani — simultaneously. Luckily, however, Raj was able to stumble upon true love as he finally found the one in Season 12 of the show.

But when Raj was about to marry Anu, played by Rati Gupta, Anu needed to move to London for work, and Raj decided to stay in Los Angeles instead. Unfortunately, “The Big Bang Theory” ended with Raj being single.