Jump to content

Raj Koothrappali: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 20: Line 20:
| nationality = [[India]]n}}
| nationality = [[India]]n}}


'''Dr. Rajesh [[Ramayan]] "Raj" Koothrappali''' is a fictional character on the [[CBS]] television series ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'', portrayed by actor [[Kunal Nayyar]]. He is [[Howard Wolowitz]]'s best friend and one of the central characters. He works as an [[astrophysicist]] in the Physics Department at [[Caltech]], with hopes of becoming renowned in [[particle astrophysics]].<ref name="S01E08">{{cite episode|title=The Grasshopper Experiment|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=November 12, 2007|season=1|number=8}}</ref> His principal characteristic is a case of [[selective mutism]] which doesn't allow him to talk to women.
'''Dr. Rajesh Ramayan Koothrappali''' is a fictional character on the [[CBS]] television series ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'', portrayed by actor [[Kunal Nayyar]].
Rajesh is [[Howard Wolowitz]]'s best friend and one of the central characters of the show. He works as an [[astrophysicist]] in the Physics Department at [[Caltech]]. His principal characteristic is a case of [[selective mutism]] which doesn't allow him to talk to women.


== Personality ==
== Personality ==


Rajesh, who is normally called '''Raj''' or by his surname '''Koothrappali''', is from [[New Delhi, India]], yet despises Indian food, and his knowledge regarding Indian culture sometimes is not very accurate.<ref name="S01E04">{{cite episode|title=The Luminous Fish Effect|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=October 15, 2007|season=1|number=4}}</ref> He is normally seen wearing a layered combination of two shirts and khakis, a purple jacket, and all accompanied by a red hat in early episodes.
Rajesh, who is normally called '''Raj''' or by his surname '''Koothrappali''', is from [[New Delhi, India]], yet despises Indian food, and his knowledge regarding Indian culture sometimes is not very accurate.<ref name="S01E04">{{cite episode|title=The Luminous Fish Effect|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=October 15, 2007|season=1|number=4}}</ref> He is normally seen wearing a layered combination of a shirt and a [[vest]], [[khaki]]s, a purple [[jacket]], and all accompanied by a red hat in early episodes.


Just like [[Howard Wolowitz]], he has a love for [[Stephen Hawking]].<ref name="S01E01">{{cite episode|title=Pilot|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=September 24, 2007|season=1|number=1}}</ref>
Just like [[Howard Wolowitz]], he has a love for [[Stephen Hawking]].<ref name="S01E01">{{cite episode|title=Pilot|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=September 24, 2007|season=1|number=1}}</ref>
Line 38: Line 40:
Raj's principal characteristic is his inability to speak to women, which is a recognized medical condition known as [[selective mutism]].
Raj's principal characteristic is his inability to speak to women, which is a recognized medical condition known as [[selective mutism]].


He is able to speak to women only when they are part of a crowd, when he is not directly addressing them, or if he is unaware of their presence.<ref name="S01E08">{{cite episode|title=The Grasshopper Experiment|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=November 12, 2007|season=1|number=8}}</ref> Aside from the that, he has no problem speaking to his mother.
He is able to speak to women only when they are part of a crowd, when he is not directly addressing them, or if he is unaware of their presence.<ref name="S01E08">{{cite episode|title=The Grasshopper Experiment|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=November 12, 2007|season=1|number=8}}</ref> Aside from that, he has no problem speaking to his mother.


Rajesh's [[social anxiety]] around women is inspired by a former co-worker of serier co-creator [[Bill Prady]].<ref>{{cite episode |title=Quantum Mechanics of ''The Big Bang Theory''|series=The Big Bang Theory DVD featurette|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory#DVD releases}}</ref>
Rajesh's [[social anxiety]] around women is inspired by a former co-worker of series co-creator [[Bill Prady]].<ref>{{cite episode |title=Quantum Mechanics of ''The Big Bang Theory''|series=The Big Bang Theory DVD featurette|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory#DVD releases}}</ref>


=== Selective mutism cured by alcohol ===
=== Selective mutism cured by alcohol ===


Alcohol appears to suppress his social anxiety, since he is capable of prolonged conversations with women after drinking, however it also tends to make him arrogant and boorish.<ref name="S01E08"/>
Alcohol appears to suppress his social anxiety, since he is capable of prolonged conversations with women after drinking. However it also tends to make him arrogant and boorish.<ref name="S01E08">{{cite episode|title=The Grasshopper Experiment|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=November 12, 2007|season=1|number=8}}</ref>


When the guys took the train to an [[academic conference]] in [[San Francisco]], Raj was able to talk to [[Summer Glau]] (portraying herself) for hours while drinking [[beer]]. However, the moment he finds out the beer is actually [[non-alcoholic beer]], the [[placebo]] effect stops and he reverts back to his usual timid self.<ref name="S02E17">{{cite episode|title=The Terminator Decoupling|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=March 9, 2009|season=2|number=17}}</ref>
When the guys took a train to an [[academic conference]] in [[San Francisco]], Raj was able to talk to [[Summer Glau]] (portraying herself) for hours while drinking [[beer]]. However, the moment he finds out the beer is actually [[non-alcoholic beer]], the [[placebo]] effect stops and he reverts back to his usual timid self.<ref name="S02E17">{{cite episode|title=The Terminator Decoupling|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=March 9, 2009|season=2|number=17}}</ref>


== Family ==
== Family ==
Line 69: Line 71:
He once dated [[List of characters in The Big Bang Theory#Other characters|Lalita Gupta]], a childhood friend, under the influence of [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]]. The date went wrong and Lalita left the drunk and obnoxious Raj to have dinner with [[Sheldon Cooper|Sheldon]].
He once dated [[List of characters in The Big Bang Theory#Other characters|Lalita Gupta]], a childhood friend, under the influence of [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]]. The date went wrong and Lalita left the drunk and obnoxious Raj to have dinner with [[Sheldon Cooper|Sheldon]].


When Raj was invited to ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine's reception, he became drunk again and presented [[Penny (The Big Bang Theory)|Penny]] to his parents as his girlfriend. Later, he had to apologize to Penny for his behavior.<ref name="S02E04"/>
When Raj was invited to ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine's reception, he became drunk again and presented [[Penny (The Big Bang Theory)|Penny]] to his parents as his [[girlfriend]]. Later, he had to apologize to Penny for his behavior.<ref name="S02E04"/>


Raj also sought to date Sheldon's attractive [[fraternal twin]] sister, [[List of characters in The Big Bang Theory#Other characters|Missy]]. He was unable to do so as the experimental drug he took to correct his anxiety disorder wore off.<ref name="S01E15">{{cite episode|title=The Porkchop Indeterminacy|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=May 5, 2008|season=1|number=15}}</ref>
Raj also sought to date Sheldon's attractive [[fraternal twin]] sister, [[List of characters in The Big Bang Theory#Other characters|Missy]].
To do so, he took an experimental drug to correct his [[anxiety disorder]]. However, he was unable to ask her out as the effect of the medication wore off.<ref name="S01E15">{{cite episode|title=The Porkchop Indeterminacy|episodelink=List of The Big Bang Theory episodes#ep15|series=The Big Bang Theory|serieslink=The Big Bang Theory|airdate=May 5, 2008|season=1|number=15}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 20:09, 22 December 2009

Rajesh Ramayan Koothrappali, PhD
Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali
First appearance"Pilot"
Portrayed byKunal Nayyar
In-universe information
NicknameRaj
GenderMale
TitleDr. Rajesh Koothrappali
OccupationAstrophysicist [1]
RelativesDr. V. M. Koothrappali (father), Mrs. Koothrappali (mother), Sanjay (cousin)
ReligionHindu
NationalityIndian

Dr. Rajesh Ramayan Koothrappali is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by actor Kunal Nayyar.

Rajesh is Howard Wolowitz's best friend and one of the central characters of the show. He works as an astrophysicist in the Physics Department at Caltech. His principal characteristic is a case of selective mutism which doesn't allow him to talk to women.

Personality

Rajesh, who is normally called Raj or by his surname Koothrappali, is from New Delhi, India, yet despises Indian food, and his knowledge regarding Indian culture sometimes is not very accurate.[2] He is normally seen wearing a layered combination of a shirt and a vest, khakis, a purple jacket, and all accompanied by a red hat in early episodes.

Just like Howard Wolowitz, he has a love for Stephen Hawking.[3]

All of the guys enjoy playing Halo 3 every Wednesday at Raj's apartment. They also play Age of Conan excessively, with Raj stating he has experienced gaming addiction.[4]

In general terms, Raj is more patient with Sheldon than Leonard, Howard, or Penny; however Sheldon is oblivious to this as he once cut him off as a friend.[5]

When hanging out with the guys, despite his particular Indian accent, Raj is noted for using slang ("fo' shizzle") and using excessively the word "dude". He often times makes sarcastic comments about the other three male characters.

Selective mutism

Raj's principal characteristic is his inability to speak to women, which is a recognized medical condition known as selective mutism.

He is able to speak to women only when they are part of a crowd, when he is not directly addressing them, or if he is unaware of their presence.[1] Aside from that, he has no problem speaking to his mother.

Rajesh's social anxiety around women is inspired by a former co-worker of series co-creator Bill Prady.[6]

Selective mutism cured by alcohol

Alcohol appears to suppress his social anxiety, since he is capable of prolonged conversations with women after drinking. However it also tends to make him arrogant and boorish.[1]

When the guys took a train to an academic conference in San Francisco, Raj was able to talk to Summer Glau (portraying herself) for hours while drinking beer. However, the moment he finds out the beer is actually non-alcoholic beer, the placebo effect stops and he reverts back to his usual timid self.[7]

Family

Raj regularly communicates with his parents, Dr. V.M. Koothrappali and Mrs. Koothrappali (played by Brian George and Alice Amter) back in India via webcam. When they become meddling or judgmental, he "brings his parents" into Leonard and Sheldon's apartment via his laptop, to seek his friends' support in the discussion. A running gag involving Raj is when he claims to have grown up in poverty in India, his friends remind him that his father is a gynaecologist and drives a Bentley.[1]

Raj's cousing Sanjay is mentioned in a number of episodes.

Work

Raj is a brilliant astrophysicist in the Physics Department at Caltech, being known for a noted publication on Kuiper Belt Object size distribution.[8]

For his discovery of a planetary object beyond the Kuiper Belt, 2008 NQ17, which he named "PlanetBollywood", Raj was included in People magazine's "30 Visionaries Under 30 Years of Age to Watch", received a larger office, and became a celebrity of sorts.[9]

After six months of failed research on the composition of trans-Neptunian objects, Raj feared the prospect of being deported back to India. To stay in the country, he sought out a research position in stellar evolution with Professor Laughlin; the proposition failed as the research team included Dr. Catherine Millstone of MIT (a female), and Raj was obligated to drink. Raj ended up working alongside Sheldon "exploring the string theory implications of gamma rays from dark matter annihilations".[8]

Relationships

As suspected from his pathology, Raj hasn't been involved in any lasting romantic relationship.

He once dated Lalita Gupta, a childhood friend, under the influence of alcohol. The date went wrong and Lalita left the drunk and obnoxious Raj to have dinner with Sheldon.

When Raj was invited to People magazine's reception, he became drunk again and presented Penny to his parents as his girlfriend. Later, he had to apologize to Penny for his behavior.[9]

Raj also sought to date Sheldon's attractive fraternal twin sister, Missy. To do so, he took an experimental drug to correct his anxiety disorder. However, he was unable to ask her out as the effect of the medication wore off.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The Grasshopper Experiment". The Big Bang Theory. Season 1. Episode 8. November 12, 2007. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "The Luminous Fish Effect". The Big Bang Theory. Season 1. Episode 4. October 15, 2007. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Pilot". The Big Bang Theory. Season 1. Episode 1. September 24, 2007. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "The Barbarian Sublimation". The Big Bang Theory. Season 2. Episode 3. October 6, 2008. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "The Friendship Algorithm". The Big Bang Theory. Season 2. Episode 13. January 19, 2009. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Quantum Mechanics of The Big Bang Theory". The Big Bang Theory DVD featurette. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "The Terminator Decoupling". The Big Bang Theory. Season 2. Episode 17. March 9, 2009. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b "The Pirate Solution". The Big Bang Theory. Season 3. Episode 4. October 12, 2009. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ a b "The Griffin Equivalency". The Big Bang Theory. Season 2. Episode 4. October 13, 2008. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "The Porkchop Indeterminacy". The Big Bang Theory. Season 1. Episode 15. May 5, 2008. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raj_Koothrappali&oldid=333345798"