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Raj (played by Kunal Nayyar) has been an ever-present on the Big Bang Theory since the pilot episode on CBS. However, over the course of 12 seasons, he found himself rather unlucky when it
came to relationships with the opposite sex – until Anu (Rati Gupta) came along in the final series. Everything looked right for the pair to settle down together and tie the knot but sadly
split as the series drew to a close. Here’s why. WHY DID RAJ AND ANY SPLIT UP ON THE BIG BANG THEORY? In the 22nd episode of season 12, Raj had packed his bags and was ready to fly to London
to spend the rest of his life with Anu. His fiancée had landed her dream management job in the UK and Raj was prepared to leave California to be with her. However, his best friend Howard
(Simon Helberg) had other ideas. READ MORE: BIG BANG THEORY: HAS THE BIG BANG THEORY BEEN SAVED? WILL IT COME BACK In true testament to their bromance, Howard paced through the airport to
stop his BFF from leaving. He told Raj: “If you’re getting on that plane because you love Anu and you can’t stand the thought of spending another day without her, then go. “If not, then stay
here with the people who love you.” Raj began to question whether he’d ever have a chance at a family before being reassured by Howard: “It’s not, believe me.” READ MORE: BIG BANG THEORY:
THE 5 BIGGEST MISTAKES ON THE SERIES - DID YOU SPOT? Raj decided he’d stay in the USA, realising his love for Anu wasn’t enough to trump his feelings for his close friends. Showrunner
explained the decision to make them split was because Anu “wasn’t who you wanted to see Raj end up with.” He told TVLine: “We want Raj to end up with the perfect woman, (and) as great as Anu
was, and as great as the actress Rati [Gupta] was, she was such a different person. “It started to feel like it wasn’t who you wanted to see Raj end up with. You want for Raj to have that
sort of fairytale romance that he’s dreamed about all these years.” The decision to break up the pair didn’t sour Nayyar’s feelings towards his character’s ending either. READ MORE: BIG BANG
THEORY: WHAT HAPPENED TO RAJ? DID HE GET MARRIED IN LONDON? On the red carpet of the finale premiere, Nayyar said he “loved” who the series ended and described it as “beautifully done”.
Paying tribute to her on-screen fiancé, Gupta took to Instagram after their split. She said: “I can't let this season of #BigBangTheory wrap up without expressing my immense
appreciation for this guy. A man so modest he shrugged & changed the subject when I asked if he was the first Indian person to get their handprints on the Walk of Fame. “Thank you for
calming my nerves when I couldn't get my first line in my first episode right, and for being such a supportive scene partner from there on out all season long. It was a JOY sparring
with you on and off camera.” _THE BIG THEORY SEASONS 1-11 ARE AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON NETFLIX NOW._