The Big Bang Theory's Kunal Nayyar Was Blown Away By One Detail On The Show - SlashFilm (2025)

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Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) undergoes a major transformation on "The Big Bang Theory," especially when it comes to his appearance. However, while Raj's ever-changing style is a testament to the show's ability to make every character look and feel unique, the character isn't the most aesthetically pleasing element of the sitcom in Nayyar's eyes.

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During an interview with TV for the Rest of Us, the "Big Bang Theory" mainstay revealed that he was in awe of the show's set designs. What's more, he was especially enamored with its recreation of the comic book store, which Raj frequently hangs out in with Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and ownerStuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), the latter of whom is set to receive a "Big Bang Theory" spin-off.

"That's a real comic book store built on set. Fascinating. We just got an Emmy nomination in art direction because of how amazing the sets are. I was like a child. The colors, before you know it you're touching all the magazines and playing with the toys. What's wrong with me? I'm germing everything. And you know a lot of stuff is rented and you've got to give it back in one piece, but I'm touching."

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Nayyar noted that he's never been the most diehard fan of the nerdy things Raj is interested in, but it seems that the show's true-to-life comic book store set made him get lost in that world — and to think that Nayyar was almost fired from "Big Bang Theory," which would have robbed him of the chance to enjoy such wonders. The set isn't the only thing that caught his eye, either, as one prop really stood out to the actor.

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In "The Big Bang Theory" season 1's "The Nerdvana Annihilation" episode, Raj and the gang acquire a replica from the classic sci-fi movie "The Time Machine." The equipment — a model time machine — causes some friction between Leonard and Penny (Kaley Cuoco), as she questions why he's obsessed with nerdy memorabilia. However, did you know that the lifesize replica caused some tension between Kunal Nayyar and someone on the set?

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In the aforementioned interview with TV for the Rest of Us, Nayyar recalled being impressed by the piece of sci-fi memorabilia, but broadcasting that sentiment to its guardian didn't go down well. In his own words:

"You know that in the time machine episode we got to see a real replica. It's a $50,000 replica of the time machine. It came with a bodyguard. I'm like, 'This is your job?' This is what he said. 'This is your job, this is my job.' [I told him] 'Cool. I didn't mean to offend you, I was just seriously asking.'"

Regardless of how one feels about this divisive sitcom, there is no denying that some of its visual elements are impressive. If nothing else, its dedication to recreating nerdy hotspots and paying homage to classic flicks made Nayyar show more interest in things he might not have been exposed to otherwise.

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