Kunal Nayyar: Diversity on U.S. TV is wonderful

The Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar has said that there is greater opportunity for ethnic minorities in U.S. TV than ever before.
Amid the ongoing diversity debate in Hollywood, after the Oscar ‘white-wash’ backlash in January (16), Kunal revealed he thinks there are more diverse roles for ethnic minorities, especially on television.
Not one actor of colour was nominated in any of the prestigious Academy Award categories, and several celebrities boycotted the February ceremony – including Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee – in protest.
“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,” he told Digital Spy at the Asian Awards in London on Saturday (30Apr16). “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 U.S., it’s a wonderful time for all of us. Not only Indians.
“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, Kunal stressed that his success in Hollywood is a result of years of hard work. “I think everyone thinks that you wake up one morning, do a few specials and you’ve made it. I don’t understand that,” he explained.
“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.
“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.”
Kunal is currently in London preparing for his role opposite Jesse Eisenberg in play The Spoils, which will run at Trafalgar Studios from 27 May to 13 August (16).