Apu returns to The Simpsons with new voice actor

Popular animated character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has returned to The Simpsons with a new voice actor after nearly a decade without speaking lines, following years of controversy over racial stereotypes, BBC reported on Monday.

The longtime Springfield convenience store owner made his return in Sunday's episode, titled The Revengening, which aired on October 18.

He is now voiced by Indian-born, American-raised actor Sunil Malhotra, replacing Hank Azaria, who stepped away from the role following criticism of the character's portrayal, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

Apu had continued to make occasional background appearances in the fictional town of Springfield but had not spoken since the October 2017 episode The Serfsons.

His return was reportedly kept a closely guarded secret by the show's producers, making the character's reappearance a surprise for longtime viewers.

Malhotra celebrated the casting on Instagram, describing his involvement as an opportunity to reclaim the character's identity and give him a more authentic voice.

The actor called Apu's return a homecoming and expressed hope that the character could evolve in a way that respects South Asian representation.

Apu first appeared on The Simpsons in 1990 and became one of the animated comedy's most recognizable supporting characters. For decades, he was voiced by Azaria, a white American actor who used an exaggerated Indian accent.

The portrayal became the subject of widespread debate following the release of the 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu, created by Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu.

The documentary argued that Apu's depiction as a South Asian convenience store worker reinforced racial stereotypes and had negatively affected perceptions of Indian and South Asian communities in the United States.

In 2018, The Simpsons addressed the controversy in an episode that indirectly referenced the criticism. However, the response received mixed reactions.

Some viewers considered the show's handling of the issue inadequate, while others defended the series, arguing that its humor had always relied on exaggerated portrayals of characters from different backgrounds.

Azaria announced in 2020 that he would no longer voice Apu. He later expressed regret over his portrayal of the character during an appearance on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, saying he felt a personal responsibility to apologize to members of the Indian-American community.

The character's return also marks another casting change for the long-running series.

Actress Janina Gavankar, known for her role in the Apple TV series The Morning Show, has taken over the voice of Apu's wife, Manjula. The character was previously voiced by Jan Hooks and Tress MacNeille.

According to executive producer Matt Selman, the creative team wanted to reintroduce Apu while allowing the character to develop beyond his earlier portrayal.

Selman also confirmed that Apu, Manjula and their family are expected to appear more frequently in future episodes.

The comeback marks a significant moment for The Simpsons, one of television's longest-running animated series, as it continues to adapt its characters and storytelling to changing expectations surrounding cultural representation.

Photo: Facebook/The Simpsons