After nearly a decade away from the spotlight, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has officially returned to The Simpsons. The beloved convenience store owner spoke once again during a Sunday broadcast on Fox, introducing a major casting shift that brings authentic representation to Springfield’s South Asian characters.
Veteran voice-over artist Sunil Malhotra has taken over the role of Apu from Hank Azaria, who previously voiced the character for decades. Additionally, actress Janina Gavankar, known for her work on The Morning Show, has stepped in to voice Apu’s wife, Manjula. The characters made their long-awaited return during a special Halloween-themed episode titled “The Revengening.”
A Long-Awaited Return After Years of Controversy
Apu’s unheralded return marks a turning point in a yearslong cultural discussion regarding how animated programs portray South Asian characters. Introduced in 1990, Apu became a pop culture staple, but critics increasingly argued that his exaggerated accent and convenience store background relied on heavy racial stereotypes.
The conversation intensified significantly following comedian Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary, The Problem With Apu. The film featured interviews with South Asian public figures like Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Hasan Minhaj, who discussed growing up with the character and facing bullying linked to the stereotype. Following the documentary and subsequent discussions, Hank Azaria stepped away from the role in 2020, and Apu was largely relegated to silent background appearances.
Speaking about taking on the historic role, Sunil Malhotra shared the internal hesitation he felt when initially approached by his agent. “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,” Malhotra explained. However, after meeting with showrunner Matt Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos to ensure the character would be handled respectfully and given room to evolve, Malhotra accepted the part.
Malhotra and Gavankar celebrated the milestone in a joint Instagram post, writing, “Bringing Apu back feels like a reclamation. It truly IS his homecoming.”
How The Simpsons Handled the Comeback
In “The Revengening,” the show’s writers addressed the multi-year absence through a clever self-referential plot. Apu returns disguised in a “Daft Monk” Halloween costume, seeking revenge against the citizens of Springfield who left him invisible and forgotten for years. During a confrontation at City Hall, characters voiced by regular cast members openly discussed the show’s past indecisiveness and hesitation regarding how to handle the character.
Executive producer Matt Selman emphasized that the creative team wanted to bring the character back in an authentic way. “We love this character, and wanted to bring him back in a smart, Simpsons-y way that allowed him to evolve,” Selman said in a statement. “We’re excited by what Sunil has already brought to the role, and look forward to seeing more of Apu in the future.”
Hari Kondabolu expressed support for the resolution, noting that he never called for Apu to be canceled entirely. Praising the network’s solution, Kondabolu stated that he is proud of the broader public conversation his documentary sparked regarding race and representation.
Broader Cultural Impact and Reception
The return of Apu arrives amid an evolving media landscape where South Asian actors and characters have found more prominent, diverse representation across television, from streaming hits like Never Have I Ever to period dramas like Bridgerton.
Fans and cultural critics have largely welcomed the thoughtful pivot, which aligns with The Simpsons‘ 2020 commitment to cast culturally appropriate voice actors for characters of color. With Malhotra and Gavankar officially on board, the Nahasapeemapetilon family is set to play a more active role in future episodes of the long-running animated sitcom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new voice actor for Apu on The Simpsons?
Indian American voice actor Sunil Malhotra took over the role of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, marking the character’s first spoken lines in nearly a decade.
Who voices Apu’s wife, Manjula?
Actress Janina Gavankar, known for her role in The Morning Show, provides the voice for Apu’s wife, Manjula.
Why did Hank Azaria stop voicing Apu?
Hank Azaria stepped away from the role following growing criticism regarding racial stereotypes, particularly after Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu. Azaria later stated that continuing to voice the character did not feel right.
In which episode did Apu return?
Apu returned during the Sunday Fox broadcast in the Halloween-themed episode titled “The Revengening.”
Have other characters on The Simpsons been recast?
Yes. Following a 2020 network announcement to ensure culturally appropriate casting for characters of color, other roles such as Carl Carlson and Dr. Julius Hibbert were also successfully recast with Black actors.
