Apu Nahasapeemapetilon Returns to “The Simpsons”

After a long absence of nearly nine years, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is back on “The Simpsons.” However, his return comes with the show’s writers feeling the need to address past missteps.

“When my agent reached out about a ‘Simpsons’ audition, I immediately knew which character they wanted me to play, and, well, it honestly made my stomach drop.”

Reviving the Character

The episode titled “The Revengening,” aired on Sunday night, features Apu again, but with Sunil Malhotra lending his voice. The storyline also serves as a type of apology regarding the issues that led to Apu’s disappearance from the show in 2017.

Apu returns to Springfield determined to get back at the townsfolk who abandoned him, asserting that he spent years on the “island of forgotten garbage,” where he encountered another castaway from Springfield, Dr. Nick Riviera.

“I am the man you left for dead,” he exclaims. “I am the one you pretended never existed!”

In a humorous twist, the residents of Springfield echo the show’s writers’ own years of struggle regarding Apu’s portrayal. Marge, acting almost as a voice for the creators, expresses regret, saying, “Apu, we’re really sorry we left you for dead. Trust me, we wanted to do the right thing.”

Bart admits they were frightened and overwhelmed. Lenny mentions there were “a lot of internal discussions,” while Carl notes that those discussions ultimately led to nothing. Even Homer eventually chimes in with apologies, reminiscing about Apu’s various contributions to the town and acknowledging how he took their friendship for granted.

The Long Road to Understanding

Apu has been a part of “The Simpsons” since its inception, famously running the Kwik-E-Mart, often overcharging customers, and sometimes joining Homer in musical exploits like the Beatles-themed barbershop group, the Be Sharps.

The character became controversial following the release of comedian Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary, “The Problem with Apu,” which critiqued how Apu’s exaggerated Indian accent and stereotypical depiction contributed to negative perceptions of Indian-Americans. Kondabolu was particularly vocal about the fact that Apu was voiced by Hank Azaria, a white actor.

Yet, not all Indian-Americans shared this negative view. In a 2018 essay for The Washington Post, writer Amar Shah expressed how he saw his father in Apu, describing him as a reflection of the hardworking immigrant experience. Though Shah admitted being annoyed by Apu jokes in his younger days, he eventually appreciated the parallels to his own father.

“Does he offend me? Not really, because part of him is real,” Shah remarked.

When asked about Apu, Shah’s father had a more dismissive response: “Who? I don’t know who that is. I’ve got work to do.”

Similarly, Indian comedian Kunaal Roy Kapur found Apu’s portrayal amusing, remarking in a 2016 NPR discussion that he had no issues with the character’s voice.

Eventually, Azaria acknowledged the backlash and in 2020, he announced he would stop voicing Apu. The show’s executives followed suit by deciding that white actors would no longer voice characters of color.

This led to the recasting of other roles as well but sidelined Apu, who had not spoken since October 2017, until recently.

New Voice, New Hope

Apu’s character now has a fresh voice, courtesy of Indian-American actor Sunil Malhotra, who confided that his initial reaction to being offered the role was less than thrilled.

“When I got the call about auditioning for ‘The Simpsons,’ I instantly knew which character it was, and honestly, it made my stomach feel uneasy,” he admitted.

Malhotra pondered whether the writers had truly learned from the past controversies and whether Apu could evolve in a way that respected previous errors while still appealing to long-time fans.

His concerns were rooted in his own experiences; he had turned down early acting gigs due to uncomfortable stereotypes. “I didn’t want to be laughed at, and I’ve said no to similar roles since,” he reflected.

Before accepting the role, Malhotra insisted on discussions with showrunner Matt Selman and producer Cesar Mazariegos. He ultimately viewed the collaboration positively, feeling that bringing Apu back was a form of reclamation.

Especially fulfilling was the moment in the episode when Apu sheds his disguise, triumphantly declaring, “I am Apu!” Malhotra stated, “I’d be lying if I said that shouting that phrase, on behalf of so many, wasn’t the best part—doing it repeatedly in the studio until it felt just right.”

He hoped this episode would resonate equally with both long-standing fans and “other South Asian kids who, like me, stopped tuning in for a while.”