Big Bang Theory

In this Critique I will be analyzing the representation on Indian people in Western Media. More specifically I will be looking at Dr. Raj Koothrappali from the TV series called “The Big Bang Theory” and connecting it to a larger scale. The show started to air in 2007, and was quick to gain popularity. Dr Raj Koothrappali plays an Indian immigrant in the TV show, which is an astrophysicist from India. The show is based around the life four nerdy roommates. Although the TV is a sitcom and is supposed to be taken lightly, there are many representation elements and stereotypical elements that can to my attention when watching the character of Raj. 

First of I think it is important to start of with what is representation? The context of representation that I will be talking about is cultural representation. In a lot of video messages such as TV shows there are cultural representations of people that are derived from stereotypes of certain cultures to add to add humor to the content. Representation doesn’t necessarily have to have a negative context. 

When it comes to the Big Bang theory Raj is represented very Stereotypically. First of all I would like to start of with the casting of him. On first look you can tell Raj is from India just by looking at him. He has dark brown skin, with a head full of thick black hair. He mostly wears checked sweaters with khaki pants. This is a very stereotypical image of Indian men, especially in America. As Indian people do come here to find jobs, they are always thought to be dressed like that. However, Indians don’t always have dark skin and a head full of hair and dress like Raj. Thus, this for me is problematic, as people expect Indians to look like him. 

On thing that really bothered me is Raj’s accent. In the Big Bang Theory, you can tell Raj is not an American just by hearing his accent. He speaks in a really stereotypical strong accent, which is usually used when people are making fun of Indians. People from India don’t even speak in an accent as thick as that. 

Another was the show stereotypically represents Indians, is through Raj’s profession. He is a nerdy character who is also an Astrophysicist. Looking at it in a larger scale, Asians in general are expected to be really intelligent. I remember when first coming into the United States, a lot of my peers expected me to be really good in math. Again in many other visual media, we can see a similar pattern, where a lot of Asian kids play they role of nerdy socially awkward characters. 

In conclusion I would like to say that Big Bang Theory is many ways has misrepresented Indian culture through the Characters of Raj. I know many TV shows add such characters in order to humor to the TV show or in some cases even show diversity. Yes, I agree when watching it lightly it can be funny, however there is a bigger issue. It creates a wrong stereotypical image of Indian People in peoples mind.