Every TV show needs an antagonist, and this season on CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” (8 p.m. EDT Thursday), that role belongs to Aarti Mann. She plays Priya, the sister of Raj (Kunal Nayyar), who has become the girlfriend of Leonard (Johnny Galecki), much to the dismay of Leonard’s ex-girlfriend, Penny (Kaley Cuoco). In the final two episodes of the season, Priya will play a central role, especially in the season finale.
“Basically, things between Penny and Priya come to a head,” Mann said in a phone interview earlier this month from the Los Angeles home she shares with her husband, who works in finance. “Priya has to face the music, and she and Leonard come to an important crossroads.”
| On TV |
| ‘The Big Bang Theory’ |
| When: 8 p.m. Thursday |
| Channel: CBS |
Mann said the show will end on two cliffhangers — one involving her character, and she doesn’t know whether she’ll be invited back for the show’s fifth season.
“I would love to come back and see where it goes with Leonard and Priya,” she said, “but no contracts have been signed. I think we’ll know by June or July.”
Mann was born Aarti Majmudar in Connecticut (“Mann” is a truncated version of her married name) and moved to Pittsburgh as a toddler. Her mother, Vasanti Majmudar, an obstetrician/gynecologist, lives in the suburb of Fox Chapel.
Mann studied film at New York University. She never acted in plays in high school, but while in college studying film writing and directing, she helped fellow students on their productions.
“I convinced them to give me a featured extra part just so I could be in front of the camera,” she said.
Mann booked a national commercial for Volvo and other roles followed, including a part in the Web/TV series “quarterlife,” which aired briefly on NBC in 2008. She was also a guest star on “Heroes” in 2009.
Mann had not watched “Big Bang” before joining the show and her acting background isn’t even in comedy. So how did she end up on one of TV’s top-rated sitcoms?
“I’m asking myself the same question,” she said with a laugh. “Whenever we’re rehearsing, I’ll try to play it in a more comedic way and [executive producer] Chuck [Lorre] always comes in and says, ‘Play it simply. You’re beautiful when you’re simple.’ I’m constantly told to reel it back in. I think I’m giving them what they need for the show. Every sitcom needs their straight man or straight woman.”
