Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster Kunal Nayyar
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Nov 19, 2025 Kunal Nayyar, best known for his role in The Big Bang Theory, shares his culinary preferences and insights while promoting his new film, Christmas Karma. He highlights the emotional complexity of his character and discusses his childhood in India, including his unique water order of half still and half sparkling. Kunal also surprises with his favorite side dish—long, soggy French fries—and describes his ideal dessert of melty vanilla ice cream with hot chocolate sauce. The conversation is peppered with restaurant jokes and food anecdotes, making for a delightful listen!
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High-Profile, Cross-Genre Collaboration
- Kunal describes Christmas Karma's ghosts and musical creators, showing high-profile cross-genre collaboration.
- The cast includes Eva Longoria, Billy Porter and Boy George with music by Gary Barlow alongside Bhangra and hip hop.
A Cultural Twist On A Classic
- Christmas Karma adapts A Christmas Carol into a South Asian musical blending Bhangra, hip hop and Gary Barlow ballads.
- The film explores immigration and family loss while keeping Dickens' core themes and dramatic music.
Use Grumpiness To Stay In Character
- Embrace being grumpy on set if the character requires it because it lets you stay in role without apologizing.
- Kunal Nayyar found playing a grump liberating and said it allowed him to avoid constant social explanations.