Delhi-bred Kunal Nayyar, who plays Rajesh Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory, is the latest Indian face to make waves on American television. The Big Bang Theory is the second most popular show in the US according to AOL online poll. He previously played a guest role as a terrorist in NCIS, an American Police procedural TV series. His play "Cotton Candy" is still running in New Delhi. Nayyar resides in Los Angeles and is writing his first feature film.

Always a performer, Nayyar began acting in musicals and plays at a young age. He was born in London and spent most of his younger years growing up in New Delhi. After finishing school, he left India for the United States where he majored in Business and took several acting courses.

Tellychakkar catch up with him as he is currently in India to meet his family.

Why did you choose to work in the US television show? Didn’t you try getting a break in the Indian TV industry?

I left for United States when I was eighteen. I had gone there to study business. While I was in India, I didn’t realise that I want to be an actor. It was only in US when the aspiration to become an actor stemmed in me. I started going for auditions and I got an opportunity there. That is how it happened. It was not that I particularly wanted to work there.

Do you plan to act in movies?

Of course I want to act in movies. I wish to have a transition to movies. Being a TV actor my schedule is crazy, so there is no time to look towards working in movies. I may work in movies after a while.

Which one would you prefer – Bollywood or Hollywood?

Bollywood would be nice. I want to do good work in Hindi cinema to inspire the Indian audience and make my country proud. The best part is that I would be able to live in my country close to my family and entertain the people of India.

Is it difficult for Indians to find a good role in TV shows abroad?

It is difficult not just for Indians but also for every one to find a good role in TV shows abroad. It is even more difficult for Indians because there are only a few roles available for them. Fortunately, this scenario is changing and there are opportunities for Indians in US television shows. There are characters of foreign ethnicity crafted in one of every two TV shows abroad.

How did you team up with Oroon Das to write the play ‘Cotton Candy’ which was critically acclaimed?

He is a friend. Those days Oroon had free time and he proposed to me about doing this play. We just met up after the UK bombings and that is when he asked me to do this play. It was an emotional meeting and those emotions turned into ideas for ‘Cotton Candy.’

What is the wildest thing you have ever done in your life?

That is a tough question as I have done many wild things in my life. The wildest one was when I went for Halloween dressed as a woman. I walked around the streets that way. I had even worn ladies under- garments. That was so crazy.

What do you wish to do twenty years from now?

I dream of running an acting school in Delhi. I really want to do that. Besides this, I want to get into direction and production of films or shows. I also wish to overcome my fear of heights, by then at least.

Any marriage plans?

Yes, I plan to get married. I don’t fancy staying single all my life. I am a person who feels lonely very quickly. I want to have a lovely wife and children. Marriage will take place when the time is right. It is not going to happen very soon as I will have to get my schedule and lifestyle on track.

Have you ever faced racism?

Every one faces racism, caste and class discrimination, be it in a foreign country or in your own country. Discrimination happens in India too. I have faced it being a part of this world but not in a direct way. When you live in another country, you do feel like an outsider. I came across it in a minor way but I don’t pay attention to such things.

How do your relatives back home react to your celebrity status in the US?

They have a good time watching me on TV. They are very supportive of me.

A piece of advice for Indians who want to make it to the US television shows?

I would say get trained before chasing this dream as it is not easy. If one is trained in acting then it really helps at the auditions. Training always makes things better for you. It is also important to treat your ambition to become a US television actor as your life.