The Big Bang Theory’s Rati Gupta talks Anu, final season wishes, and more

Rati Gupta joined the cast of The Big Bang Theory for its final season. Now the star talks about finding out it would be her first and last season, wishes for Anu, and much more.

As The Big Bang Theory starts to wrap up its final season, we turn our attention to Rati Gupta. She plays Anu on the series, coming in as Raj’s arranged bride. At first, we weren’t too sure if she would be the one, but the more she’s been on screen, the more we’ve fallen in love with her.

And it’s certainly bittersweet. This is a character who deserves more time to developed. We need to see her and Raj start their lives together but it’s just not meant to be. Gupta shares why she was attracted to the character in the first place and what it was like joining The Big Bang Theory in the final season in this exclusive interview.

Hidden Remote: What’s it been like coming into a show that’s so established in terms of fandom and cast?

Rati Gupta: Oh, it was intimidating at first. They have their system down. Mayim Bialik [Amy on The Big Bang Theory] said when she came onto the show, it felt like transferring high school in the senior year. It’s like coming into a community that’s already formed their friendships and dynamic and everything.

For me, coming in for the last season of the show after 11 years, it felt like the last two weeks of senior year, right before finals. But it’s been amazing and they’re all incredible people. They’ve all been so warm and inviting. They just brought me into the family really quickly and it’s been lovely working with them.

HR: Did you know it was going to be the last season when you got the role?

Gupta: No. I was hired a week before the announcement was made, so that also upped the ante of the whole situation. It went from “oh, I’ll be this cool, interesting character on this big show” and then all of a sudden it’s the final season. I was like, “oh, this is a bigger deal than I ever thought.”

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HR: And Anu has already become loved by so many of the fans. It’s so nice to finally see Raj who likes him for him and is willing to put up with some of his quirks.

Gupta: I think you’re talking about “The Consummation Deviation.”

HR: Yes!

Gupta: Yeah, when I read that script, I thought that was so beautifully done. The writers encapsulated so much of what both of them needed for each other. Anu was able to be her strong, opinionated self but she was able to reveal some of her vulnerabilities, her kindness, and her willingness to accommodate another person in her life, which I don’t think we saw in previous episodes with her.

For Raj, he opened up and admitted to certain things that I don’t think he’d voiced previously. So, I think it was a lovely episode. It was sweet but also funny. It was a fun episode to shoot.

HR: Did you both chat beforehand or was it just table read and straight into it?

Gupta: Yeah, I met him at the table read and we just straight into work the next day. It was like diving in head first.

We get on really well. Kunal [Nayyar] and I have a lot in common. What we don’t have in common, makes it fun. We bicker a lot in a cousinly way. He’s really great to work with.

HR: Do you know how this will end for Anu and Raj?

Gupta: I don’t. If I did, I couldn’t tell you but I honestly don’t know what will happen. None of us get the scripts until the night before a table read.

HR: Wow!

Gupta: Yeah, so none of us know how this will play out.

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HR: How would you like it to play out?

Gupta: Oh, I actually haven’t thought of that. The first two episodes you’ll see in January when The Big Bang Theory comes back play out in a way that satisfies what I would have wanted them to do. I don’t know what happens after that and I can’t say what does happen, but I like what happens in those episodes.

HR: So, we’ll get to see more character development for Anu?

Gupta: Yes, you definitely see more shades of her as the episodes go on. I think that’s just the way life goes. As you spend more time with someone, you get to know more about them, the personalities traits they have. So, yeah, you’re definitely going to get to know her more.

HR: Does she get to spend more with the rest of the group?

Gupta: I don’t know. Maybe. Hopefully. I think it’s probably an important thing to spend time with everyone as they’re part of Raj’s life.

HR: What’s been your favorite part of filming and of the character so far?

Gupta: My favorite moment has been the Halloween episode and my costume. I remember reading the script and it said “A Constitutition Costume” and my mind went “what the hell is that going to be?” I had no idea what they were going to put me in and they were fitting me for a black bodysuit. I was like “what’s the constitution part?”

They just said it was coming and it was like a big sandwich board. All I could think was, “ok, cool.” It was surprisingly comfortable. I thought I looked really cute in it and it was super fun. Both of us looked cute together in it.

It was so fun to see everyone in costumes. It was remarkable to watch Simon [Helberg] do an impression of Sheldon. That whole day we shot the party scene was awesome. It was the most fun I’ve had on set.

HR: I love that she was willing to do a couple costume so early on.

Gupta: Yeah, and I think that was one of the first moments you saw a different side to her. Up to that point, you saw the practical, pragmatic, overly efficient kind of woman. That was the first moment you saw her loosened up and cracking jokes with Leonard. You saw a side that Raj was probably attracted to at the same time.

HR: What drew you to this character when you got the chance to audition?

Gupta: So many things. I love that she knew what she wanted and was unapologetic for what she wanted. She’s smart, successful, and independently minded. There’s so much about her that’s tough and not in a physical way. She’s emotionally tough and she knew that she wasn’t going to compromise any of that.

THat type of woman is someone I aspire to be. You don’t see that type much on TV, especially women of color and Indian women. We don’t get to play those leading type roles who tend to be emotionally tough women, so that’s what I loved about this character.

I think that’s what I loved. The chance to see this version of a woman in this body of a woman.

HR: It’s bittersweet that we only get to see her now. There’s so much more potential to develop and integrate with the friends. It would have been great to see her a couple of seasons ago.

Gupta: Yeah, I wish I could stay with her longer. It’s unfortunate in some ways that it’s last season. Every show has its journey and this is how this journey is panning out.

HR: As Iron-Man has just said in Avengers: Endgame trailer, part of every journey is the end.

Gupta: Good quote. I like that one.

HR: So, I’ve got one last question. What would your dream role be if you could do absolutely anything?

Gupta: Oh, that is the question. I used to be a dancer, which is why I moved to LA. My dream was to be a backup dancer for Janet Jackson. So, a part of my dream role would be something that would use that part of my life. Maybe Step Up 8? I don’t know what number they’re on but a lead in one of those would be pretty great.

Something where I get to be the comedic actor and the dancer at the same time.

HR: That would be brilliant.

What would you love to see from Anu? Do you think Raj and Anu will end up getting married? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Big Bang Theory returns tonight at 8/7c on CBS.