Apu returns to The Simpsons with South Asian voice after eight‑year silence
Sunil Malhotra and Janina Gavankar voice Apu and Manjula in the latest Treehouse of Horror special, marking a shift after years of criticism.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Simpsons revived the Kwik‑E‑Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in the October 18, 2026, Halloween‑themed "Treehouse of Horror" episode, now voiced by Indian‑American actor Sunil Malhotra.
What happened
The episode, titled "The Revengening," aired on Sunday, October 18, on Fox. It featured Apu speaking for the first time since the 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu prompted his removal from dialogue. In the episode, Apu and his wife Manjula appear with a new storyline, both voiced by South Asian actors.
What the reports add
- Gulf News noted that Malhotra described the role on Instagram as “a reclamation” and “his homecoming,” and highlighted that this marks the first time a South Asian actor has voiced the character.
- Both the Winnipeg Free Press and CityNews reported that Janina Gavankar provides the voice for Manjula and that the actors posted a joint Instagram statement saying, “Bringing Apu back feels like a reclamation. It truly IS his homecoming.”
- Gulf News added that the comeback had been kept under wraps until the episode aired.
- Variety, cited by Gulf News, quoted Malhotra saying his stomach “sank” when he learned the audition was for Apu, but he was curious about how the show could acknowledge past mistakes.
- Gulf News also reported that Hank Azaria, on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, said he felt he needed to personally apologise to every Indian person in the U.S. for his previous portrayal.
What was said
“It truly is his homecoming.” – Sunil Malhotra, Instagram post, reported by Gulf News
“Bringing Apu back feels like a reclamation. It truly IS his homecoming.” – Sunil Malhotra and Janina Gavankar, joint Instagram post, reported by the Winnipeg Free Press and CityNews
“I felt I needed to personally apologise to every Indian person in the US.” – Hank Azaria, Armchair Expert podcast, cited by Gulf News
How it came about
The return follows a decade‑long debate sparked by Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu, which criticized the character as a racial stereotype. Hank Azaria confirmed in 2020 that he would no longer voice Apu. After the documentary, Apu’s last speaking appearance was in the 2017 episode "The Serfsons," after which he appeared only in background scenes. The casting of Sunil Malhotra and Janina Gavankar was announced in a Felo News piece titled Sunil Malhotra voices Apu in first Simpsons appearance in eight years, noting the October 18 air date and the Halloween special format.
Key facts
- Apu returned to speak in the October 18, 2026, "Treehouse of Horror" episode. (gulfnews.com)
- Sunil Malhotra voiced Apu, becoming the first South Asian actor in the role. (gulfnews.com)
- Janina Gavankar voiced Manjula. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The change follows criticism after the 2017 documentary "The Problem With Apu." (toronto.citynews.ca)
Timeline
- 2017-10-01 — Apu's last speaking appearance in "The Serfsons" episode.
- 2020-06-15 — Hank Azaria announced he would stop voicing Apu.
- 2026-10-18 — Apu speaks again, voiced by Sunil Malhotra.
