Apu Returns to ‘The Simpsons’ with Indian American Voices After Backlash

In the latest episode of ‘The Simpsons,’ viewers were surprised to see Apu, the iconic Kwik-E-Mart owner, return after nearly a decade of silence. This character, who has faced significant scrutiny, was featured prominently alongside his wife Manjula, voiced by Indian American actors Sunil Malhotra and Janina Gavankar. Their return has been described by Malhotra and Gavankar as a significant reclamation and a homecoming for Apu.

Apu’s character had largely disappeared from the show following the 2017 documentary ‘The Problem With Apu’ by comedian Hari Kondabolu, which highlighted the negative stereotypes associated with him. Despite controversies, many others, such as author Amar Shah, have expressed a nostalgic connection to Apu. As South Asian representation in media has increased, the return of Apu also comes at a pivotal time when awareness of discrimination against South Asians is heightened.