Top 4: Funniest Kumail Nanjiani Movie Moments

Watching one of your favorite comedians work their way into the mainstream is a unique but undeniable pleasure. It's like hearing an indie band on a Top 40 station and cheekily thinking, "I knew them before they were big." I mention this because comedian Kumail Nanjiani seems primed for the big-time. He's a solid stand-up comic, delivered five seasons of solid work on Silicon Valley, and has a number of excellent cameo roles in Hollywood films. Finally, he's starring in his own movie The Big Sick, a film that we co-wrote with his wife Emily V. Gordon about the early part of their courtship. So in honor of Nanjiani's upcoming breakthrough I'm picking five of his funniest movie moments.

#4 "We'll Miss You" from Hello, My Name is Doris

In a small but all too real scene from this quirky comedy, Kumail's Nasir and a number of other coworkers gather around Sally Fields Doris to wish her well. Well kinda, as it turns out they're more interested in the items at Doris' desk than a sincere farewell and subsequently begin grabbing what they want as soon as Doris approves. It's a thought process plenty of people have had come to life.

#3 The Traitor from Brother Nature

For much of this movie, Nanjiani's Riggleman has been something of an eager lackey to Taran Killam's Roger. A typical worked up assistant. Which means combining Riggleman with Roger's over eager brother-in-law to be Todd sounds like a nightmare. Except, much to Roger's dismay, it isn't After one afternoon, Riggleman is not only best buds with Todd but actively making plans to hang out with Todd as his boss loses his mind over Todd's antics. It's laid back approach that is a perfect juxtaposition to Roger's freakout.

#2 The Lunchbox from Central Intelligence

As a seasoned stand-up Nanjiani has masterful withering wit as his disposal and uses every bit of it in this scene with Kevin Hart. Unlike many other comedies, Nanjiani's security guard isn't buying Hart's bull for a second and delivers biting remarks one after another. However, none hit as well as the reaction "Ok, I'm made of questions now."

#1 The Massage from Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

Everything about this scene seems primed for the most offensive thing imaginable. Anna Kendrick tells Nanjiani's masseuse to give the bride "something extra" (a clear innuendo) and he removes his clothes as he enters the room. But what follows is physical almost gross out gag so absurd that all of the audience's worries are removed and we're free to laugh. I won't spoil it but whatever you're expecting it's probably not it.