Apu Speaks Again: Sunil Malhotra Takes Over 'The Simpsons' Role

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon spoke on "The Simpsons" on October 18 for the first time in nearly a decade, voiced by actor Sunil Malhotra. Variety exclusively identified Malhotra, a voice-over veteran of "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Legend of Korra," as the new voice of the Kwik-E-Mart owner. The return aired in "The Revengening," a Halloween-themed episode on Fox, and was kept secret behind non-disclosure agreements and withheld screeners.

The character had been seen but not heard since the October 2017 episode "The Serfsons." Executive producer Matt Selman said the show wanted a deliberate comeback.

"We love this character, and wanted to bring him back in a smart, 'Simpsons'-y way that allowed him to evolve," 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."

Janina Gavankar ("The Morning Show") also debuted as Apu's wife, Manjula. Selman said the Nahasapeemapetilon family will now appear and be heard more often.

Why did Apu disappear?

Hank Azaria voiced Apu for decades. The character, a South Asian convenience store clerk, drew criticism as a stereotypical portrayal and became the centerpiece of Hari Kondabolu's 2017 documentary "The Problem With Apu." Azaria announced he would stop voicing the role.

"I apologize for my part in creating that and participating in that," Azaria said in 2021 on Dax Shepard's podcast "Armchair Expert." "Part of me feels like I need to go to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize. And sometimes I do."

Producers then pushed Apu to the background. In June 2020, "The Simpsons" announced that its characters of color would be voiced by culturally appropriate actors, with Alex Désert replacing Azaria as Carl Carlson and Kevin Michael Richardson taking over Dr. Julius Hibbert from Harry Shearer. Apu now joins that list.

What does the comeback look like on screen?

The pitch came from writer Nick Dahan and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos. Selman called it "a brilliant way" to bring Apu back and reference the entire controversy.

In the episode, a figure in a "Daft Monk" costume — a Daft Punk helmet with a monastic robe — is accidentally killed repeatedly by Springfield residents, then returns a year later for revenge. At City Hall, he removes the helmet and reveals himself as Apu.

"I am the man you left for dead. I am the one you pretended never existed!" Apu declares.

Marge answers: "Apu, we're so sorry we left you for dead. Believe me, we wanted to do the right thing." Lenny adds, "If it's any consolation, we had so many internal conversations about it." Carl finishes: "Ahh, they kind of just didn't go anywhere."

Homer offers penance: "You were on our bowling teams, our barbershop quartets, our dad rock cover bands. We took you for granted. I took you for granted."

The rampage proves to be a nightmare. Apu wakes in the reopened Kwik-E-Mart beside Manjula, and Homer invites him to a Halloween party. A "Daft Monk" costume waits under the cash register.

What does this change for Malhotra?

Malhotra said he almost walked away. He had declined his first professional job offer 28 years ago rather than play a stereotypical "Hindu guy," and had turned down similar work since.

"When my agent called me about a 'Simpsons' audition, I knew exactly what role it was for, and the idea actually made my stomach sink," Malhotra said. "But admittedly, part of me was also curious."

He agreed to proceed only after meeting Selman and Mazariegos. "My callback was the first of many times that no one at 'The Simpsons' let me down," he said, adding that he hopes the result satisfies "longtime fans of 'The Simpsons' and for other South Asian kids who, like me, stopped watching at some point along the way."

Of the reveal, he said: "I'd be lying if I didn't say that the sweetest part of all was unleashing that righteously rage-fueled 'I AM APU!' — on behalf of so many of us — over and over in the studio until we got it just right."

The episode also gave Dr. Nick a new voice, Eric Lopez, and revived a figure played by Michael Jackson in the Season 3 episode "Stark Raving Mad," pulled from rotation in 2019 after "Leaving Neverland." Early social media reaction to Apu's return ran positive. Series creator Matt Groening said in 2021 that producers were testing whether new Apu stories could work. With the Kwik-E-Mart reopened and Malhotra and Gavankar announcing the roles on Instagram, "The Simpsons" now has to prove those stories exist.