Apu Nahasapeemapetilon made his first appearance on “The Simpsons” since 2017 in the recent episode, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening.” Despite being seen in the background in the intervening years, the character remained silent amid accusations of perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Sunil Malhotra, an Indian-American actor known for his work in “The Legend of Korra,” now provides the voice for Apu, taking over from Hank Azaria, a white actor who voiced the character for 27 years. In 2021, Azaria publicly apologized for his involvement in creating and portraying Apu, expressing regret and a desire to personally apologize to every Indian individual affected by the character.
The last time Apu spoke was in the 2017 episode “The Serfsons.” The debate surrounding the character’s depiction intensified that same year after Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu released the documentary “The Problem with Apu,” criticizing the character’s cultural impact and the racial stereotypes he embodies.
Sunil Malhotra shared a photo on Instagram dressed as Apu alongside Janina Gavankar, the voice of Apu’s wife, Manjula, celebrating Apu’s return as a significant milestone.
Gavankar, also new to “The Simpsons,” has taken over the role of Manjula from Tress MacNeille, aligning with the show’s commitment to have characters of color portrayed by actors of color. This recasting trend includes Alex Désert as Carl Carlson and Kevin Michael Richardson as Dr. Julius Hibbert, with Apu now joining the list of recast characters.
The return of Apu was a well-kept secret until the recent episode aired, where he made a dramatic reentrance, declaring his identity as “I am Apu.” Showrunner Matt Selman expressed excitement for Apu’s future appearances, emphasizing the character’s evolution in a “Simpsons”-esque manner.
In an interview, Sunil Malhotra mentioned initial hesitations about taking on the role of Apu but found reassurance from discussions with Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos. The recording of Apu’s emphatic return was described as a poignant moment by Malhotra.
While Apu’s surprise comeback has garnered mixed reactions online, some fans welcomed the return while others questioned the decision. Overall, the reintroduction of Apu has sparked diverse opinions and discussions within the fan community.