Kunal Nayyar won't rule out a Big Bang Theory reunion

The Big Bang Theory's Kunal Nayyar said the CBS sitcom could still return at some point in the future.

He played astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali alongside Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter, Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, Kaley Cuoco as Penny and Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz.

The series ran for 12 seasons, coming to an end in 2019, and fans were left heartbroken.

Nayyar did not rule out a comeback, but said it was a little too soon for the cast to get back together.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz he said: "We only ended in 2019, so you've got to give us a little more time to come back."

His next role will be in the festive musical movie Christmas Karma, which is directed by Bend it Like Beckham filmmaker Gurinder Chadha.

It is a Bollywood-inspired adaptation of the Charles Dickens 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, and Kunal plays Mr Sood, the equivalent of Ebenezer Scrooge.

He was initially reluctant to take on the role due to his age, but Gurinder convinced him he was perfect for the part.

He said: "Gurinder approached me to play Scrooge in this movie, I was like, 'I think I'm way too young to play this character.'

"But she really convinced me this character is not about age, or anything its about a character that's gone through pain and showing redemption."

Since The Big Bang Theory ended, the star had roles in Criminal: UK, Suspicion and Night Court.

Nayyar's decision to tackle such a serious and chilling role in Criminal was a deliberate action.

In a 2020 interview with Metro, he said he wanted to explore something extremely far removed from The Big Bang Theory.

He said: "There was definitely [a deliberate decision]. It was not like, 'Oh I'm only going to do this kind of work,' but it came at the right time.

"It was definitely what I wanted to do. Also, physically, I'm so recognisable from my voice, I'm so recognisable from my face ... it was important to do something that completely breaks the barrier."