For almost a decade, The Simpsons’ character Apu has not said a word, because of a row over the ethnicity of the actor who voiced him.
Now, though, the Springfield shopkeeper is talking again, after Sunil Malhotra – who moved to the US from India as a child – was recruited to voice him.
The Kwik-E-Mart owner, an Indian immigrant known to long-standing fans for his catchphrase “thank you, come again”, spoke on Sunday night’s episode after nine years of silent appearances.
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon was voiced until 2017, with a strong Asian accent, by Hank Azaria, a New Yorker, who stepped down after a race row. The character, who first appeared in the show in 1990, has been described as a racist stereotype.
Following criticism of Apu’s portrayal, Azaria (62), who continued voicing other Simpsons characters, said at the time the team all felt “like it’s the right thing” for him to step down.
Malhotra (50), whose casting was revealed by Variety, the Hollywood trade magazine, has described it as a “reclamation” and “homecoming” for the beloved owner of the fictional Kwik-E-Mart.
In a joint Instagram post with Janina Gavankar, who is taking on the voice of Apu’s wife, he said: “Bringing Apu back feels like a reclamation. It truly IS his homecoming.”
Producers had kept the casting secret until the episode was broadcast. Speaking afterwards, Matt Selman, the executive producer, said both characters would be seen and heard more often.
He told Variety: “We love this character and wanted to bring him back in a smart, Simpsons-y way that allowed him to evolve. We’re excited by what Sunil has already brought to the role and look forward to seeing more of Apu in the future.”
Malhotra, whose screen credits include Grey’s Anatomy and whose voice credits span animated series and video games, revealed that he had been hesitant to take on the controversial part.
He told Variety: “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.
“But admittedly, part of me was also curious. It had been eight years since Apu had spoken on the show and it got me thinking: did the writers’ room look different now?”
He added: “Could they bring him back in a way that acknowledged and apologised for past mistakes? Could I make the character my own and reclaim him in some way?
“And could they achieve all of that in an unmistakably Simpsons way that didn’t disappoint fans?”
The controversy surrounding Apu’s character escalated in 2017 after the airing of the documentary The Problem with Apu, written by and starring Hari Kondabolu, a comedian, who argued Apu was an offensive stereotype.
Azaria later appeared on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, apologising for his role in the depiction.
He said: “I apologise for my part in creating that and participating in that. Part of me feels like I need to go to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologise.”
Apu first appeared in The Simpsons’ first season in the episode The Telltale Head, and initially caused controversy because of Azaria’s ethnic origin. The Simpsons writers addressed the issue in an episode, but were then accused of making the situation worse.
In the episode, Marge Simpson was seen reading a novel that had been adapted for modern audiences to make it less offensive.
The scene ended with Lisa turning to the camera and saying: “Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?”
She then looked at a picture of Apu inscribed with Bart’s catchphrase: “Don’t have a cow.”
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