Summary
In the final season of The Big Bang Theory, there was contemplation about showcasing Raj and Anu's Indian wedding. However, the writers ultimately opted out as they felt there was a lack of chemistry between the characters.
Anu, a late addition to the show, brought a unique background to the Pasadena gang. Despite their initial conflict, Raj and Anu managed to reconcile and begin a relationship.
Although Raj and Anu's Indian wedding had the potential to be a memorable part of the series finale, CBS prioritized Sheldon and his Nobel arc, making it challenging to execute.
The Big Bang Theory season 12 originally planned to showcase Raj's Indian wedding, but writer Steve Molaro has revealed the straightforward reason for scrapping the idea. Despite a satisfying finale for CBS' sitcom, there were some flaws, and one of them was the underwhelming conclusion for Raj. In Jessica Radloff's book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story Of The Epic Hit Series, Molaro discusses how they initially intended to include Raj and Anu's wedding but decided against it due to their doubts about their romantic compatibility. Here is Molaro's full quote from the book.
Why Raj & Anu Were Actually Perfect For Each Other In Big Bang Theory
"The relationship was initially presented as a love story with a non-sequential order, where the characters got engaged before truly getting to know each other. Although Rati Gupta's portrayal of Anu was exceptional, it didn't quite resonate with us the way we had hoped. We never felt compelled to write towards a definite ending. In our writers' room, we had considered the possibility of Raj and Anu's wedding in India, but ultimately, it didn't feel like the right direction to take."Anu joined the cast of The Big Bang Theory in its final season as a last-minute addition. She entered Raj's life through his request for an arranged marriage. An accomplished concierge with a no-nonsense attitude, Anu belonged to a completely different world from the Pasadena crew. Initially, she clashed with Raj during their first date due to their divergent views on their situation. However, they managed to overcome their differences and progress in their relationship. Unfortunately, Anu's appearances gradually dwindled, leading to their eventual breakup.
The lack of chemistry between Raj and Anu, as pointed out by Molaro, may have been a deliberate choice by The Big Bang Theory in search of a more immediate connection akin to Penny and Leonard's or Sheldon and Amy's. This decision was crucial, especially considering that the show was in its final year. However, had CBS invested more time in developing their storyline, perhaps Raj and Anu could have reached a point where their relationship could have endured over the long term. It is worth noting that Anu was actually a perfect match for Raj, as she fully accepted and embraced his more feminine side, which allowed him to feel relaxed and content with her.
The inclusion of Raj and Anu's Indian wedding would have been a fitting conclusion for The Big Bang Theory. However, it is clear that CBS prioritized Sheldon's storyline during the final year of the series. Even if the wedding had taken place earlier in the year, it would have required a significant amount of time, potentially overshadowing Sheldon's journey towards winning the Nobel Prize.
Source: The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story Of The Epic Hit Series