Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the iconic Kwik-E-Mart owner from <em>The Simpsons</em>, has officially returned to the series with a new voice actor. The character, previously voiced by Hank Azaria, had been largely absent since 2020 following criticism over his portrayal of racial stereotypes. The season 38 episode titled "The Revengening," which aired on October 18, 2026, marked Apu's full reintroduction.
Sunil Malhotra, known for his roles in <em>The Legend of Vox Machina</em> and <em>Grey's Anatomy</em>, is the new voice behind Apu. Malhotra engaged in extensive discussions with the show's producers to ensure the character's depiction would be culturally appropriate and respectful to individuals of Indian and South Asian heritage. "It was the beginning of a deeply collaborative experience that I hope is equally satisfying for longtime fans of <em>The Simpsons</em> and for other South Asian kids who, like me, stopped watching at some point along the way," Malhotra stated in an interview with Variety.
The return addresses the controversy sparked by Hari Kondabolu's 2017 documentary, <em>The Problem With Apu</em>, which highlighted the damaging impact of the character's stereotypical representation. Azaria, acknowledging that characters of color should be voiced by actors from those communities, stepped down from the role. Apu subsequently became a background character who rarely spoke.
"The Revengening" depicted Apu's nearly decade-long absence as a journey to a place called The Island of Forgotten Garbage, where Springfield's discarded items and characters, such as Dr. Nick and Leon, ended up. Marge Simpson delivers an apology on behalf of the show's creators, stating, "Apu, we’re so sorry we left you for dead. Believe me, we wanted to do the right thing." Lenny and Carl also reference the internal debates within the writers' room that had previously stalled any resolution.
The episode concludes with Apu awakening in the Kwik-E-Mart beside his wife, Manjula, now voiced by Janina Gavankar, discovering the preceding events were a dream. The storyline is resolved when Homer Simpson invites Apu to a Halloween party. The production team has been open about their cautious approach to Apu's return, prioritizing the development of suitable narratives for the character. Fans have expressed enthusiasm for Apu's comeback and Malhotra's casting, with the actor describing the return as a "reclamation" and "truly his homecoming."