--- title: "Apu Returns to \"The Simpsons\" After Near Decade-Long Absence" url: https://newscentral.site/apu-returns-to-the-simpsons-after-near-decade-long-absence/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-10-20T05:27:47.000Z updated: 2026-10-20T08:45:17.403Z id: dc320e8f-abd5-43f0-9fd1-b9912e2b4e5c source: "ABC News Entertainment https://abcnews.com/Entertainment/wireStory/after-years-backlash-apu-returns-simpsons-south-asian-137402797" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/apu-returns-to-the-simpsons-after-near-decade-long-absence/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Apu Returns to "The Simpsons" After Near Decade-Long Absence Apu has made a surprise return to "The Simpsons" after a near decade-long absence. Apu, the beloved Kwik-E-Mart operator from "The Simpsons, has made a surprise return to the show after a near decade-long absence. The character's reappearance in Sunday's Halloween-themed episode, Treehouse of Horror, marked a significant moment for fans and critics alike. In the episode, Apu was voiced by Sunil Malhotra, a veteran voice-over artist, and Janina Gavankar (The Morning Show), who also provided the voice for his wife, Manjula. The decision to cast actual Indian American actors in these roles has been met with widespread approval. Bringing Apu back on screen is seen as a significant step forward by some South Asian Americans who have long felt misrepresented and stereotyped by the character's portrayal. Comedian Hari Kondabolu's 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu sparked a years-long debate about the impact of the show on communities of color. The return of Apu has been met with praise from some of the celebrities who appeared in Kondabolu's documentary, including Kal Penn and Hasan Minhaj. They shared their own experiences growing up with the character and being called Apu as an insult by their peers. Kondabolu's documentary highlighted the problems with Hank Azaria voicing Apu, a white actor playing a character that was deeply rooted in South Asian culture. The decision to bring Apu back on screen with actual Indian American voices is seen as a nod to the concerns raised by Kondabolu and others. Bhoomi Thakore, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut, believes that Apu Nahasapeemapetilon Jr.'s portrayal in The Simpsons reinforced a limited stereotype of Indian Americans. Thakore points out that when Apu debuted in 1990, he was one of the few representations of Indians on American television. This narrow typology has been criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes and reinforcing a single aspect of Indian identity. Hank Azaria's decision to step away from voicing Apu after the documentary's release allowed the character to fade into the background, while other characters continued to be voiced by Azaria. The controversy surrounding Apu did not result in his complete removal from The Simpsons, but rather a temporary absence. However, with the hiring of Malhotra and Gavankar to voice the character, it seems that Apu is now being brought back on screen with actual Indian American voices. In response to the backlash, Hari Kondabolu praised The Simpsons for devising a clever solution to address the controversy surrounding Apu's portrayal. The Simpsons has made a significant move in addressing the long-standing controversy surrounding Apu's portrayal by introducing Sunil Malhotra as the new voice of the character. This decision comes after years of criticism and calls for diversity in casting choices, particularly with regards to characters of color being voiced by actors from their respective ethnic backgrounds. Executive producer Matt Selman explained that the show wanted to bring back Apu in a way that was both smart and true to its signature style, allowing the character to evolve and grow alongside the rest of the cast. The move has been met with a mix of reactions, ranging from praise for finally giving Apu a voice from his own cultural background to criticism for not addressing the underlying issues that led to the controversy in the first place. Author Amar Shah, who wrote about his sentimental attachment to Apu in a 2018 piece, expressed his appreciation for the new direction the show has taken, noting that he would be happy for his children to see Apu represented on screen because it reflects aspects of their own family's experiences. Shah's sentiments are echoed by many fans who have grown up with The Simpsons and feel a strong connection to the character, highlighting the complexities and nuances of the issue at hand. The return of Apu to The Simpsons has been met with a mix of emotions from fans, but one thing is certain: the character's South Asian voice has undergone significant changes. Hansraj Shah, an advocate for greater representation in media, believes that while the new voice brings a different tone and texture, it still captures the essence of Apu's humanity. He suggests that incorporating this change earlier would have made a more profound impact. The revival of Apu comes at a time when South Asians and Indians are facing increasing online racism and hate crimes. Research groups such as Stop AAPI Hate have documented a rise in racist slurs and threats against these communities, highlighting the urgent need for greater representation and understanding. Against this backdrop, Shah welcomes The Simpsons' cautious approach to reincarnating Apu, acknowledging that the show has evolved over time to better reflect the diverse experiences of its audience. He notes that the return of Apu coincides with a growing presence of South Asian Americans in prominent roles, such as actor Mindy Kaling and politicians like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The careful handling of Apu's revival has been seen as a positive step towards greater representation, but some fans still question whether it is enough to address the deeper issues surrounding racism and xenophobia. The introduction of Apu's new voice has been met with a mix of reactions from fans, with some welcoming the change as a step in the right direction towards greater representation. Shilpa Davé, an associate professor of media studies at the University of Virginia, notes that South Asian characters are now more common on TV, appearing in shows such as Bridgerton" and "Never Have I Ever", offering diverse portrayals. --- Source: [ABC News Entertainment](https://abcnews.com/Entertainment/wireStory/after-years-backlash-apu-returns-simpsons-south-asian-137402797) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/apu-returns-to-the-simpsons-after-near-decade-long-absence/