The Simpsons fan favourite character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon spoke for the first time in nearly a decade on last night’s episode (Sunday October 18).
Apu was first introduced in 1997 during the episode The Telltale Head, where the Kwik-E-Mart was voiced by Hank Azaria. He went on to play the character for 29 seasons until 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu explored the racist stereotypes behind the portrayal.
Apu disappeared into the background after that and in 2020, Azaria confirmed he’d no longer be voicing the character. “What they’re going to do with the character is their call. It’s up to them and they haven’t sorted it out yet. All we’ve agreed on is I won’t do the voice anymore. We all made the decision together. We all agreed on it. We all feel like it’s the right thing and good about it,” he explained.
The following year, he apologised for his part in bringing Apu to life. “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.”
During last night’s episode of The Simpsons, Apu returned in a speaking role for the first time since 2017’s The Serfsons. Apu is now voiced by Sunil Malhotra while Apu’s wife Manjula is played by Janina Gavankar.
The Halloween special The Revengening sees a masked figure take revenge on the people of Springfield before revealing himself as Apu. He explains that he spent the past few years abandoned on The Island Of Forgotten Garbage. “I am the man you left for dead. I am the one you pretended never existed!”
Apu's new voice has been revealed.
It is the first time the character has spoke in almost a decade. pic.twitter.com/HjzHVjaM0S
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 19, 2026
“It would have been so easy to bring me back,” his meta-speech continued.
“Apu, we’re so sorry we left you for dead. Believe me, we wanted to do the right thing,” said Marge, trying to stop Apu from destroying the town. “But we were so scared, and just didn’t know what to do,” added Bart. Eventually Apu realised it was all a dream, and was invited to The Simpsons’ halloween party.
“We love this character, and wanted to bring him back in a smart, ‘Simpsons’-y way that allowed him to evolve,” co-showrunner Matt Selman said. “We’re excited by what Sunil has already brought to the role, and look forward to seeing more of Apu in the future.”
