The Simpsons has brought back one of its most recognisable characters, with Apu Nahasapeemapetilon speaking for the first time in nearly a decade.
The Kwik-E-Mart owner made a surprise return during the show's latest Halloween-themed episode, The Revengening, which aired on Sunday, October 18.
Apu is now voiced by Indian American actor Sunil Malhotra, while his wife, Manjula, is played by Janina Gavankar.
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The return marks a significant moment for the long-running animated comedy, which has become one of the most influential television shows of all time.
First appearing in 1989, The Simpsons is now in its 38th season and has reached 800 episodes. It holds the record as television's longest-running scripted primetime series and has won 37 Emmy Awards.
Few shows have had the same impact on popular culture.
Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa have become instantly recognisable characters around the world, while the series has given audiences catchphrases, memorable characters and countless references that have become part of everyday conversation.
Its celebrity guest list also reflects its standing in the entertainment industry. Stars including Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Meryl Streep have appeared on the show, with the series regularly bringing major names into its fictional version of Springfield.
Apu's return, however, comes after years of controversy surrounding the character.
Originally voiced by Hank Azaria, Apu first appeared in the episode The Telltale Head in 1990.
Azaria played the character for decades, but the 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu, made by comedian Hari Kondabolu, sparked renewed debate about the portrayal of South Asian people on television.
Hank Azaria. Photo credit: Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock
The documentary explored how Apu's accent and characterisation relied on racial stereotypes, with South Asian viewers discussing the impact this had on their experiences growing up.
Azaria subsequently stepped away from the role. In 2020, he confirmed he would no longer voice Apu, saying the decision had been made collectively and that he believed it was the right thing to do.
The actor later apologised for his part in the portrayal, saying: “Part of me feels like I need to go around to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologise, and sometimes I do when it comes up.”
Apu largely disappeared from speaking roles following the controversy, although the character continued to appear in the background.
That changed in The Revengening, which sees a masked figure take revenge on the people of Springfield before revealing himself to be Apu.
“I am the man you left for dead. I am the one you pretended never existed!” he declares.
@pubity Apu is back on The Simpsons, and he has a new voice. He returned in Sunday’s Halloween episode, Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening, now voiced by Sunil Malhotra. Hank Azaria voiced Apu for 29 seasons. The character faced criticism after the 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu, and in 2020 Azaria confirmed he would no longer voice him. #Pubity ♬ original sound - Pubity
The new casting gives the character a different voice for the first time, with Malhotra taking over from Azaria and Gavankar joining the series as Manjula.
