‘The Simpsons’ Debuts New Voice for Apu After Nine Years of Silence

The Simpsons Introduces Fresh Voice for Returning Character Apu After Nine‑Year Pause

The Simpsons brought back fan favorite Apu Nahasapemapetilon on Sunday night’s episode, unveiling a new voice for the character after nine years of absence.

Apu’s most recent appearance occurred in the Series 15 episode “The Revenge of the Scythe,” in which Sunil Malhotra assumed the role formerly held by Hank Azaria. The character has gone largely unnoticed since the October 2017 installment “The Serfsons,” and the revelation about his replacement came as a surprise, as the cast change was not publicly disclosed beforehand.

Upon hearing about a *Simpsons* audition through his agent, Malhotra recognized right away the significance of the part and felt a blend of excitement and uncertainty. “It had been eight years since Apu last appeared on screen,” he told Variety>. He reflected on whether the current writing team might approach the revival with acknowledgment of past controversies. Ultimately, he asked the question of how fully the character could be reshaped to honor earlier criticism while remaining quintessentially *Simpsons* in tone—all without disappointing dedicated fans.

Malhotra stressed that he sought to steer clear of being the punchline for any joke, indicating that any potential collaboration must commence with discussions between himself, showrunner Matt Selman, and co‑executive producer Cesar Mazariegos.

He described the partnership as a deeply collaborative journey, one he hopes will satisfy longtime viewers of *The Simpsons* as well as younger South Asian audiences who once watched but eventually drifted away.

The episode also introduced Janina Gavarkar as the new voice for Apu’s spouse, Majula. Showrunner Matt Selman confirmed to Variety that both characters will feature regularly thereafter.

Back in 2017, actor Hari Kondabolu drew attention to *Apu* in the documentary *The Problem With Apu*, exploring how the character impacts South Asian communities. In 2020, Hank Azaria announced his withdrawal from voicing the role.

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“All we know, I will not take on the voice role unless a proper transition can be devised,” Azaria told Slash Film. “Decisions regarding the character rest solely with the production; the matter remains unsettled as of now. My only firm commitment is that I will not provide the voice beyond the current agreements.”

In a 2021 conversation with Dax Shepard’s *Armchair Expert*, Azaria expressed remorse for his involvement in the underlying issues, stating, “I sincerely apologize for my part in contributing to those problems. Perhaps I should personally address every South Asian individual I encounter and offer my deepest apologies.”

This editorial piece reflects the latest developments affecting memorable characters in popular television.

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