“The intellectual equivalent of Leonardo da Vinci”: Johnny Galecki sincerely desired for The most hated Big Bang Theory character, who appeared in just 12 episodes, to have a longer run on the show.
Johnny Galecki hoped the much-maligned role played by Aarti Mann in the sitcom had a longer run.
Most Hated Big Bang Theory Character
Throughout its remarkable 12-season run, The Big Bang Theory featured many guest stars, but not all of them were warmly received by viewers. Aarti Mann, who debuted in Season 4 as Raj’s sister Priya Koothrappali and had a sexual relationship with Johnny Galecki’s Leonard, was one such person.
Fans were not impressed with the character’s influence on Penny and Leonard’s relationship despite the character appearing in a total of 12 episodes during the show. Fans didn’t like it, but Galecki wanted her to stay on the comedy for a longer period.
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Johnny Galecki Wanted Aarti Mann to Continue on The Big Bang Theory
Priya, who debuted in Season 4, would later become one of Johnny Galecki’s (The Big Bang Theory) major romantic interests. The fact that the figure was merely an abstraction in Penny and Leonard’s romance, however, did not sit well with fans.
Unlike fans, though, Galecki thought the relationship between Leonard and Priya made perfect sense, calling Mann’s character “Leonard’s sort of intellectual equivalent.” In an interview with TVLine, he explained his desire for the character to have a lengthier run by saying:
I thought it made a whole lotta sense. She did one episode this season, and we just really loved Aarti [Mann], and her work ethic kind of melded with everybody else’s. And it makes sense as far as the characters.
“She is Leonard’s sort of intellectual equivalent,” he continued, suggesting that this made their communication easier and more natural. But he also hinted that Leonard and Penny, who don’t have the same intellectual affinity, weren’t in the same situation.
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Aarti Mann Revealed Surprising Changes to Priya koothrappali’s Character
Aarti Mann disclosed in a Desert News interview that the original storyline for her character Priya was different from the one that was ultimately presented. The actress stated in an interview that “the character changed completely.”
She disclosed that when the character was first introduced in the show, she was supposed to be engaged, and Leonard was supposed to be her final relationship before getting married. She remembered, “We practiced it for a week, and it ended up just being Priya calling people’s asses.”
Co-creator Bill Prady wanted to leave the door open for Priya to perhaps return after they wrapped the episode. Mann said that she afterward got a call from her agency telling her that Priya was wanted back on the show.
The actress remarked on her role on the Emmy-winning sitcom, which also served as a teaching tool for her, “It’s fun to see how Priya has changed.” The character first appears in Season 4 and returns in Season 5, at which time she tries a long-distance romance with Leonard before their breakup.
For a variety of factors, Priya’s popularity among fans did not increase despite her notable presence. Except for a few fleeting references in Season 5, the character was not seen again, and Leonard eventually moved on with Penny.
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