Rajesh Koothrappali - Big Bang Theory
As a show, Big Bang Theory is problematic in many ways - it's misogynistic humor that relies on the perpetuation of invalid gender stereotypes, and one-dimensional female characters written to meet the male gaze are worthy of their own projects. But for the sake of this project, I'll be focusing on how Rajesh Koothrappali, one of the four scientists on the Big Bang Theory is the epitome of what it means to be the token Indian guy.
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Like Apu, Raj is a man of limited character traits - he is a scientist, an Indian with conservative parents, and a man who is unable to speak or interact with women. Between his conservative parents and his inability to interact with women, Raj's character is both - the product of a misunderstood culture that has failed to equip him with the social skills to effectively woo women and the poster child for modern-day conceptions of Indian men - essentially, an effectively sexually incapable being. Unlike others on the show, Raj does not undergo any kind of character growth over time the tropes stay - these qualities are unflinchingly his and are, by virtue, unflinchingly Indian. The lack of thought towards his character (as compared to the others) also speaks to a larger ideological system at play here that suggests that Raj - as the token Indian guy - does not need to grow, change, and evolve in any way. He as already achieved what his character was created to do - He's Indian. His character's hatred for his own culture and parents further absolves the writers from the responsibility of fleshing out his character to be something more than just his ethnic identity while allowing them to use the same as per their convenience. This selective adoption of the South Asian narrative is exemplified by the conversation between Howard and Raj below and shows how the show has successfully managed to commodify his ethnic identity.
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​While the actor (Kunal Nayyar) said that he helped write this scene, Hollywood's long-running racial stereotyping continues to determine how South Asian individuals are constructed and represented.
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