Apu Nahasapeemapetilon made his first appearance on “The Simpsons” after four years of silence, returning in the latest episode titled “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening.” Despite being seen in the background in recent years, Apu refrained from speaking due to concerns about perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Sunil Malhotra, an Indian-American actor known for his work in “The Legend of Korra,” now lends his voice to 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 sense of responsibility for potentially offending Indian individuals.
Apu’s last dialogued appearance was in the 2017 episode “The Serfsons.” The debate surrounding Apu intensified that same year following the release of the documentary “The Problem with Apu” by Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu, which scrutinizes the character’s portrayal and its association with derogatory stereotypes.
Sunil Malhotra shared a photo on Instagram featuring himself as Apu and Janina Gavankar, the voice of Apu’s wife, Manjula, celebrating Apu’s return as a significant and empowering moment for the character.
The return of Apu also brings a new voice for Manjula, with Gavankar taking over the role from Tress MacNeille, aligning with the show’s commitment to having characters of color voiced by actors of color. This casting shift includes other characters like Carl Carlson and Dr. Julius Hibbert, now portrayed by Alex Désert and Kevin Michael Richardson, respectively.
The unexpected comeback of Apu was revealed in the recent episode, with the character making a dramatic reentrance by declaring, “I am Apu.” Showrunner Matt Selman expressed excitement about reintegrating Apu and his family into the series, emphasizing the character’s evolution and significance.
Sunil Malhotra initially hesitated about assuming the role of Apu but found reassurance through discussions with Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos, describing the experience of recording Apu’s return as a poignant moment. Despite attempts to obtain comments from Selman and Malhotra, no responses have been received.
While some fans welcomed Apu’s return, others expressed mixed reactions online. The discussion ranged from excitement over Sunil Malhotra’s portrayal of Apu to nostalgia for Hank Azaria’s previous performance and skepticism about the ongoing relevance of the show.