Simpsons character gets his voice back... this time provided by an Indian-American actor provide by

Apu has been given his voice back in The Simpsons.

The convenience store owner has not spoken on the animated comedy for eight years, amid controversy over him being voiced by white actor Hank Azaria.

Producers were also criticised for a stereotypical portrayal of an Asian character.

Azaria stepped back after the issues were raised by Indian-American comic Hari Kondabolu in a 2017 documentary entitled The Problem With Apu.

Last night, the character returned for the Treehouse Of Horror Halloween episode entitled The Revengening with Sunil Malhotra providing the voice.

The actor,  who moved to the US from India as a child, wrote on Instagram: ‘Bringing Apu back feels like a reclamation. It truly IS his homecoming.’

It prompted Azaria to praise his successor, posting: ‘Wonderful job @thatsunil!’

Apu’s wife, Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon, also has a new voice, with Janina Gavankar replacing Tress MacNeille.

She praised her new co-star, saying: ‘After 22 years of friendship, I know Sunil is the perfect person to bring Apu home.’

The plot of the episode – a fantasy like all Treehouse Of Horror specials – involves Apu having several near-death experiences at the hands of Springfield residents, all of whom tried to cover up the accidents. 

In a nod to the fact the character has been silent for so long, Apu ends up washed ashore an island of people the town is done with and wants to forget.

It turns out to have been a nightmare, and back in the Kwik-E-Mart, Apu tells Homer:  ‘It was so real, the whole town forgot about me.’

To which Homer replies, 'Come on, that could never happen. Springfield loves you, and after all we've been through, I know I could never forget about you. Oh, crap, that reminds me. I forgot to invite you to our Halloween party.'

The new casting had been kept secret by producers and the Fox network until last night's broadcast.

Published: 19 Oct 2026