Former Pittsburgher's role in 'The Big Bang Theory' comes to a head in finale
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Aarti Mann.
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Every TV show needs an antagonist, and this season on CBS's "The Big Bang Theory" (8 p.m. Thursday, KDKA-TV), that role belongs to former Pittsburgher 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," Ms. 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."
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, KDKA-TV.
Stars: Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki.
Ms. 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."
Ms. Mann was born Aarti Majmudar in Connecticut (Mann is a truncated version of her married name) and moved to Pittsburgh as a toddler. Growing up, her family lived in Mt. Lebanon and Wexford before settling in Fox Chapel where her mother, Vasanti Majmudar, an obstetrician/gynecologist out of UPMC Passavant, still lives. (Ms. Mann's father passed away while she was in high school).
Ms. Mann graduated from Shady Side Academy (she declines to reveal the year) and 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.
First Published May 11, 2011 12:00 am
