The Simpsons' Apu Returns With New Voice Actor After Race Controversy

The Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has returned to the show with a new voice actor, Indian-born, US-raised actor Sunil Malhotra, in an episode that aired Sunday. This marks the first time Apu has spoken on the series since 2017, following a period of controversy surrounding accusations of racial stereotyping.

Apu's return was featured in the episode titled "The Revengening." He had previously been seen but not heard in Springfield for almost eight years. Malhotra stated in a message posted on Instagram that he feels the role is a "reclamation" and "truly his homecoming."

The character, first introduced in 1990, was originally voiced by white actor Hank Azaria, who used a heavy Indian accent. The portrayal came under scrutiny following the 2017 documentary "The Problem With Apu" by Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu, which argued that the character was based on racial stereotypes. In 2018, an episode of The Simpsons acknowledged the controversy, though some viewers found the response insufficient.

Azaria announced in 2020 that he was stepping down from the role. He later expressed regret, telling Dax Shepherd's Armchair Expert podcast, "Part of me feels like I need to go around to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize."

Malhotra told Variety that when his agent first presented the audition, he understood the significance of the role. "But admittedly, part of me was also curious," he said. "It had been eight years since Apu had spoken on the show, and it got me thinking: Did the writers' room look different now? Could they bring him back in a way that acknowledged and apologized for past mistakes? Could I make the character my own, and reclaim him in some way? And could they achieve all of that in an unmistakably Simpsons way that didn't disappoint fans?"

Malhotra collaborated with showrunner Matt Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos to make the character more culturally appropriate for the present day. "It was the beginning of a deeply collaborative experience that I hope is equally satisfying for long-time fans of The Simpsons and for other South Asian kids who, like me, stopped watching at some point along the way," Malhotra said.

In "The Revengening," Apu reappears in a Halloween costume disguise, revealed to be seeking revenge after being left for dead and sent to the Island of Forgotten Garbage. After a confrontation at Springfield City Hall, Marge Simpson apologizes for how Apu was treated, and Homer Simpson acknowledges that the town, and he personally, had taken Apu for granted.

Apu's wife, Manjula, is now voiced by Janina Gavankar, taking over from previous voice actors.```json {