Sunil Malhotra Takes Over the Voice of Apu in The Simpsons Season 38 Comeback
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon spoke on screen for the first time in eight years during a recent episode of the nearly forty-year-old animated series The Simpsons, nos.nl reported. The beloved Kwik-E-Mart manager, who had remained silent since October 2017 amid sustained industry criticism over his stereotypical portrayal, now voices his lines through India-American actor Sunil Malhotra rather than white actor Hank Azaria.
How the Controversy and Industry Shifts Led to Apu’s Absence
The debate surrounding Apu gained widespread mainstream attention following the release of the 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu, which criticized the depiction of South Asian individuals in popular culture. Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, Hollywood’s focus on representation intensified further, prompting Hank Azaria to step down from the role he had played for decades. Alongside these production changes, showrunners announced that white actors would no longer voice non-white characters, leading to a series of cast updates across the Springfield roster, nos.nl reported.
Dr. Nick Riviera and Apu Return in a Secret Treehouse of Horror Episode
Headliner.nl reported that Fox kept the return of Apu strictly confidential by requiring cast members to sign non-disclosure agreements and withholding preview screeners from reviewers for the season 38 episode “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening,” in which Apu seeks revenge on the residents of Springfield after being stranded on the Island of Forgotten Garbage. The episode also marks the comeback of Dr. Nick Riviera, the incompetent surgeon originally voiced by Azaria, who now speaks with the voice of new actor Eric Lopez.
New Voices Breathe Life Into Classic Springfield Characters
Executive producer Matt Selman confirmed to Variety that Sunil Malhotra will continue to voice the Quik-E-Mart owner in upcoming episodes. This casting update mirrors other recent changes in the series, such as Kevin Michael Richardson taking over Dr. Hibbert and Alex Désert voicing Carl Carlson since season 32. Apu's wife Manjula has received a new voice actress, Janina Gavankar, nos.nl reported.
“Het voelt echt als zijn thuiskomst,” Gavankar and Malhotra shared in a joint statement on Instagram, expressing their enthusiasm for the roles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apu’s Return
Who is the new voice actor for Apu in The Simpsons?
India-American actor Sunil Malhotra takes over the role of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, replacing white actor Hank Azaria, who stepped down from the character following years of criticism regarding its stereotype-driven portrayal.
Why did Apu disappear from The Simpsons for eight years?
Apu’s last spoken line in the animated series occurred in October 2017. His silence followed intense public scrutiny sparked by the 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu and broader industry shifts regarding diversity and representation in Hollywood after 2020.
Which other classic characters received new voice actors alongside Apu?
Apu’s wife Manjula is now voiced by Janina Gavankar. Other permanent casting updates in the series include Kevin Michael Richardson as Dr. Hibbert, Alex Désert as Carl Carlson, and Eric Lopez as Dr. Nick Riviera, who returned alongside Apu in season 38.
Keep reading