Apu has returned to The Simpsons with a new voice actor, speaking for the first time since October 2017 in the animated sitcom’s latest Halloween special.
The character, the owner of Springfield’s Kwik-E-Mart, had continued to appear on screen but had remained silent since the episode The Serfsons. His absence was never fully explained.
In Sunday night’s episode, The Revengening, a man dressed as a “Daft Monk” is repeatedly killed by Springfield residents. A year later, he is revealed to be alive and removes his helmet to declare: “I am Apu.”
He then tells the residents: “You thought you could just get rid of me, that I would just disappear, that there wouldn’t be consequences for the horrible thing you did.”
Apu returns with a new voice
South Asian actor and voice-over artist Sunil Malhotra has taken over the role, which was previously performed by Hank Azaria from 1990 until Azaria stepped down in 2020.
Azaria’s departure followed criticism of the decision to have a white actor voice an Indian character using an exaggerated South Asian accent. The debate received widespread attention after the 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu, directed by Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu.
The film examined concerns that Apu’s accent, catchphrases and stereotypical portrayal contributed to harmful representations of South Asian people. Azaria later apologised for his role in perpetuating those stereotypes.
Malhotra said he had considered carefully how the character could return while recognising the controversy surrounding Apu and remaining true to the spirit of The Simpsons.
“It had been eight years since Apu had spoken on the show, and it got me thinking,” he said.
“Did the writers’ room look different now? Could they bring him back in a way that acknowledged and apologised 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 said he had initially been hesitant, but producers assured him that Apu’s return would be handled with care.
The episode also introduced actress and musician Janina Gavankar as Apu’s wife, Manjula. The pair shared their excitement about taking on the roles in a joint Instagram announcement.
“Bringing Apu back feels like a reclamation. It truly IS his homecoming,” Malhotra said.
Gavankar added: “After 22 years of friendship, I know Sunil is the perfect person to bring Apu home.”
Executive producer Matt Selman said the casting and Apu’s return had been kept secret, and that the character and his family would feature more regularly in future episodes.
“We love this character, and wanted to bring him back in a smart, Simpsons-y way that allowed him to evolve,” Selman said.
“We’re excited by what Sunil has already brought to the role, and look forward to seeing more of Apu in the future.”
