After nearly a decade of silence, ‘The Simpsons’ has brought back Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the long-running animated series’ Indian shopkeeper, with a new voice actor following years of criticism over racial stereotyping.
According to BBC, Apu returned in Sunday’s episode, ‘The Revengening’, on US network Fox. Indian-born, US-raised actor Sunil Malhotra now voices the character, who has remained largely silent since the October 2017 episode ‘The Serfsons’.
Malhotra described the role as a chance to reclaim the character. “It truly is his homecoming,” he said in a statement shared on Instagram.
Apu first appeared in the series in 1990. White actor Hank Azaria previously voiced him using a pronounced Indian accent. The portrayal came under scrutiny in 2017 after Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu released the documentary ‘The Problem with Apu’, arguing that the character reinforced racial stereotypes about South Asians.
‘The Simpsons’ addressed the controversy in an episode the following year, but some viewers felt its response fell short. Others defended the programme, arguing that its characters generally relied on stereotypes.
Azaria announced his departure from the role in 2020. He later told Dax Shepard’s ‘Armchair Expert’ podcast that he felt he should personally apologise to Indian people across the United States.
Speaking to Variety before Apu’s return, Malhotra said his agent’s call about auditioning for the role initially made him uneasy. However, the opportunity also made him curious about whether the show’s writers could bring Apu back while acknowledging past mistakes.
The actor, whose credits include ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘The Legend of Korra’, said he wanted to make the character his own while helping the series address the concerns surrounding the portrayal.
Malhotra worked with showrunner Matt Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos to discuss how Apu could return in a way that better reflected cultural sensitivities in 2026.
He described the process as a collaborative effort and expressed hope that the result would appeal to long-time viewers as well as South Asian audiences who had stopped watching the series.
Apu’s wife, Manjula, will also have a new voice. Janina Gavankar, known for her appearance in Apple TV’s ‘The Morning Show’, takes over the role previously voiced by Jan Hooks and Tress MacNeille.
In ‘The Revengening’, Springfield residents repeatedly appear to kill a man dressed in a Halloween costume resembling the French electronic duo Daft Punk, dubbed “Daft Monk”. A year later, the figure returns seeking revenge.
He summons Springfield’s residents to City Hall and reveals himself as Apu. He recounts how he nearly died dozens of times before ending up on the Island of Forgotten Garbage, where Dr Nick healed him.
“I am the man you left for dead. I am the one you pretended never existed,” Apu declares.
As he prepares to set City Hall ablaze, Marge Simpson intervenes and apologises on behalf of the town.
Bart admits that the residents were frightened and unsure how to respond, while Homer acknowledges that they had taken Apu for granted.
Homer recalls Apu’s place in the town’s bowling teams, barbershop quartets and dad-rock cover bands, underscoring his longstanding role in the community.
The episode is scheduled to become available to UK viewers on Disney+ next week.
