Raj Koothrappali

Rajesh Ramayan ""Raj"" Koothrappali, Ph.D. (born October 6, 1981) is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by British Indian actor Kunal Nayyar.Raj is Howard Wolowitz's (Simon Helberg) best friend, with whom Raj shares what Nayyar calls a ""bromance"", although the relationship is frequently made awkward by Raj's metrosexuality. Raj works as an astrophysicist in the Physics Department at Caltech. He had selective mutism, which did not allow him to talk to women outside of his family unless he was under the influence of alcohol (or medication), until the season 6 finale. Raj is one of four characters to appear in every episode of the series, along with Sheldon, Howard, and Leonard.