{
  "id": 15584017,
  "title": "9 Years Later, The Simpsons' Controversial Character Officially Returns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/9-years-later-the-simpsons-controversial-character-officially-returns",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-19T08:54:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Polygon",
    "slug": "polygon",
    "url": "https://www.polygon.com/the-simpsons-apu-returns-sunil-malhotra-hank-azaria/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In January 2020, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the iconic Kwik-E-Mart owner on The Simpsons, was voiced by Hank Azaria. However, the character's portrayal sparked controversy due to racial stereotypes, leading to Azaria's departure and Apu's gradual removal from the show. Nine years later, Apu officially returned in the season 38 episode \"The Revengening,\" voiced by Sunil Malhotra, an actor dedicated to making the character culturally appropriate and respectful for people of Indian and South Asian heritage. Malhotra expressed appreciation for the showrunners' commitment to handling Apu's return with care and respect, noting the collaborative experience as deeply satisfying for fans and South Asian viewers. The controversy surrounding Apu began in 2017 with Hari Kondabolu's documentary, \"The Problem With Apu,\" which highlighted the damaging impact of the character's stereotypical portrayal. Apu was eventually portrayed as a background character for the following nine years, appearing sporadically but never speaking. In the episode, Apu's story over the past nine years is told with the show's signature humor. Apu discovers he was found in The Island of Forgotten Garbage, where Springfield's discarded characters, including Dr. Nick and Leon, ended up. Marge apologizes on behalf of the show's writers and producers, and the episode ends with Apu waking up in the Kwik-E-Mart, believing it to be a dream. Fans have responded positively to Malhotra's casting, viewing Apu's return as a reclamation of the character's homecoming.",
  "summary": "After almost a decade, Apu and his wife Manjula return to The Simpsons as full characters, voiced by Sunil Malhotra and Janina Gavankar.",
  "key_points": [
    "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon sparked controversy due to racial stereotypes in 2010",
    "Hank Azaria voiced Apu until 2019, then Sunil Malhotra took over",
    "Malhotra praised showrunners' respectful handling of Apu's return"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}