Apu returns to Springfield in 'The Simpsons' Season 38, voiced by Sunil Malhotra, after nine years of silence. The episode addresses the controversy around his stereotypical portrayal and the show's failure to deal with it.
01Summary
- 01Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, previously voiced by Hank Azaria, had no speaking roles after 2017 following criticism over racial stereotyping.
- 02He returns in the Season 38 Halloween special 'Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening', voiced by new actor Sunil Malhotra.
- 03The episode features Apu as a killer accusing Springfield of forgetting him, with characters mocking the show's own handling of the issue.
- 04Hank Azaria apologised for his role in the portrayal and stepped away from the character.
- 05Comedian Hari Kondabolu's 2017 documentary 'The Problem With Apu' highlighted the harm caused by the character's stereotypes.
02Why it matters
The return marks a significant shift in how the show handles representation, acknowledging past mistakes without erasing the character, which could influence how other series address similar controversies.
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