The Simpsons Welcomes Back Apu with New Voice Actor

The long-running animated series, The Simpsons, has reintroduced the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, marking his first spoken appearance in nine years. This return comes after significant criticism regarding the character's portrayal, which was deemed stereotypical and lacking in authentic South Asian representation. Apu, the proprietor of the Kwik-E-Mart, was notably voiced by white American actor Hank Azaria, who stepped down from the role following the backlash.

The character last spoke in the October 2017 episode "The Serfsons." In the recent episode "The Revenging," Apu's voice was provided by Sunil Malhotra, an actor known for his work on "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Legend of Korra." The casting and Apu's return were kept under strict confidentiality, with all involved signing non-disclosure agreements.

Sunil Malhotra's portrayal of Apu was featured alongside his wife, Manjula, voiced by Janina Gavankar. Executive producer Matt Selman expressed enthusiasm for the character's evolution, stating, "We love this character, and wanted to bring him back in a smart, 'Simpsons'-y way that allowed him to evolve." He added, "We're excited by what Sunil has already brought to the role, and look forward to seeing more of Apu in the future."

The controversy surrounding Apu gained significant attention in 2017 with comedian Hari Kondabolu's documentary "The Problem With Apu." Azaria publicly apologized in 2021 for his role in the character's creation and portrayal. Apu had previously been relegated to a background character with no dialogue as the show's creators deliberated on how to address the concerns.

Malhotra shared his initial apprehension upon receiving the audition offer, noting his past experiences with stereotypical roles. "When my agent called me about a Simpsons audition, I knew exactly what role it was for, and the idea actually made my stomach sink," he explained. "But admittedly, part of me was also curious. 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?"

Malhotra emphasized his commitment to making the role a "deeply collaborative experience" and expressed hope that his version of Apu will resonate with other South Asian viewers who may have disengaged from the show due to past issues.