Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is speaking again on The Simpsons, nearly a decade after controversy pushed one of Springfield’s most recognizable residents into the background.
Indian-American actor Sunil Malhotra has taken over the role previously voiced by Hank Azaria. His debut aired October 18 in “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening,” bringing the Kwik-E-Mart proprietor back into the spotlight.
The casting addresses the longstanding dispute over a white actor playing an Indian character. However, Apu’s return raises another question: why did the show spend years sidelining someone its producers repeatedly described as beloved?
Apu Returns With a New Voice
According to Variety, Malhotra will continue voicing Apu beyond the Halloween episode. Janina Gavankar also joins the series as his wife, Manjula.
Malhotra’s credits include The Legend of Korra, The Legend of Vox Machina, and numerous video games. Executive producer Matt Selman says viewers can expect more appearances from the Nahasapeemapetilon family.
Apu and his family in The Simpsons – The Simpsons Man, YouTube
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The episode turns Apu’s prolonged absence into a horror storyline. A masked killer terrorizing Springfield turns out to be Apu, seeking revenge after being forgotten.
Through Springfield’s apologetic residents, the writers acknowledge their own uncertainty over how to handle the character—and how that indecision left him sidelined.
How a Springfield Mainstay Became a Cultural Flashpoint
Apu debuted in the 1990 episode “The Telltale Head,” during the show’s first season. Over time, he became much more than the man behind the Kwik-E-Mart counter.
Episodes explored his friendships, marriage, family, and immigrant experience. In “Lisa the Vegetarian,” he helps Lisa understand that maintaining her convictions does not require condemning everyone who lives differently. “Much Apu About Nothing” places him at the center of Springfield’s immigration debate.
Homer and Apu in The Simpsons – The Simpsons Man, YouTube
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Those stories help explain why many viewers saw more in Apu than the accent that became a focus of criticism.
Nevertheless, comedian Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu brought those objections to a wider audience. It examined stereotyping and the experiences of South Asians who felt the character shaped how others perceived and treated them.
The disagreement concerned both Azaria’s performance and Apu’s cultural impact. Defenders pointed to the character’s depth, while critics questioned the consequences of a caricature becoming such a prominent representation of an entire community.
Hank Azaria Stepped Aside in 2020
Azaria announced in January 2020 that he would stop voicing Apu.
As Entertainment Weekly reported, he had told producers the previous year that he was uncomfortable continuing.
“When I expressed how uncomfortable I was doing the voice of the character, they were very sympathetic and supportive,” Azaria said.
That June, the series announced a broader policy ending white actors’ portrayals of nonwhite characters. Other roles subsequently changed hands, including Carl Carlson and Dr. Hibbert.
For Apu, however, finding a replacement took considerably longer.
Apu’s return on The Simpsons – E! News, YouTube
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Malhotra approached the opportunity cautiously, discussing the character’s treatment with producers before accepting.
“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,” he told Variety.
“But admittedly, part of me was also curious. It had been eight years since Apu had spoken on the show, and it got me thinking: Did the writers’ room look different now? Could they bring him back in a way that acknowledged and apologized 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?”
His casting ends an extended period in which Apu could appear onscreen without being given anything to say.
Apu’s Comeback Draws Mixed Reactions
Early reactions include viewers welcoming Apu’s return and celebrating the casting of an Indian-American performer. Others dislike the new voice or question whether replacing Azaria improves the character.
“Representation for Indian Americans. Well played Matt Groening and Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner and Yeardley Smith,” one account on X wrote.
The Simpsons reveals the new voice for Apu.
Representation for Indian Americans. Well played Matt Groening and Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner and Yeardley Smith.
Thank you come again.
#TreehouseofTerror #TheSimpsons
— I’m Human 1st! Everything Else Next (@WisdomFromBri) October 19, 2026
“Apu returning after all these years feels like reconnecting with an old friend,” another user added.
@DiscussingFilm Apu returning after all these years feels like reconnecting with an old friend.
— El barrio 👻 (@EmmyHood01) October 19, 2026
That enthusiasm was not shared by everyone, with some viewers criticizing Malhotra’s performance.
@RollingStone He sounded awful. Just keep the character off the show at this point.
— Matt (@JerseySuave4) October 19, 2026
“He sounded awful. Just keep the character off the show at this point,” a user wrote.
Other responses moved beyond the casting debate, questioning whether The Simpsons has run its course and retains any cultural relevance.
@Variety Astounding that anyone still watches
Can’t say I’ve seen an episode in over 20 years
Maybe it’s time to just let it go?
— Disappointed Fred Gwynne (@NotFredGwynne) October 19, 2026
“Astounding that anyone still watches,” one user on X wrote. “Can’t say I’ve seen an episode in over 20 years. Maybe it’s time to just let it go?”
Apu’s Future Depends on More Than His Voice
Bringing Apu back gives the series another opportunity to tell stories about a familiar Springfield resident. Whether that generates sustained interest will depend on what follows the attention surrounding his return.
The recasting resolves who supplies his voice, but the writing will determine whether audiences recognize the character they remember. After years of leaving Apu in the background, The Simpsons now has to give viewers a reason to care about his future.
How do you feel about The Simpsons bringing back Apu with an Indian voice actor? Sound off and let us know!
