Actors need to train like sportsmen and musicians: TBBT’s Kunal Nayyar

Kunal Nayyar thinks there are more diverse roles for ethnic minorities, especially on television, now.

Everyone knows him, everyone loves him as the Indian nerd Raj Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory and Kunal Nayyar says that there is greater opportunity for ethnic minorities in US TV scene than ever before.

Kunal Nayyar thinks there are more diverse roles for ethnic minorities, especially on television, now. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Amid the ongoing diversity debate in Hollywood, after the Oscar “white-wash” backlash in January, Nayyar, 35, revealed he thinks there are more diverse roles for ethnic minorities, especially on television, reported Digital Spy.

“If you look around anywhere in the world, it’s a diverse world we live in. And it’s nice to be in the position that I can promote that,” Nayyar said at the Asian Awards in London.

“Not that I’m a spokesperson for Asian diversity but it is a wonderful time we’re living in. There’s a lot more roles, there’s a lot more directors and artists that are coming from these communities and I get to do that for a living. In the US, it’s a wonderful time for all of us. Not only Indians.

Kunal Nayyar as Raj Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory. (CBS)

“All sorts of ethnic minorities are being allowed to showcase their talents. It’s a wonderful time to be there,” he added.

Despite the wide variety of roles being available to ethnic minority actors, Nayyar stressed that his success in Hollywood is a result of years of hard work.

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“I think everyone thinks that you wake up one morning, do a few specials and you’ve made it. I don’t understand that. I studied for seven years, I got my bachelor’s and then I got my master’s in acting. You have to train. Musicians trains, sportsmen train, and actors think they don’t have to train? I’ve never understood that. Anytime you slack off, someone else is working harder.

Actors Melissa Rauch, Kunal Nayyar, Kaley Cuoco and Simon Helberg perform onstage during the 24th and final A Night at Sardi's to benefit the Alzheimer's Association at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 9, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (AFP)

“I just wake up, stay positive and work hard. If I didn’t get a role, it’s probably because I wasn’t right for it or maybe I messed up the audition or I didn’t work as hard as I should, so I always go back to myself.”