Apu Returns to ‘The Simpsons’ After Nine Year Silence With New Voice Actor Sunil Malhotra

By Elliot Nash - News

Updated: 19 October, 2026

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Readtime: 4 min

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• Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has spoken on The Simpsons for the first time since 2017, with Sunil Malhotra taking over the role from Hank Azaria.
• The character returned in Sunday’s US episode, Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening, alongside his wife, Manjula, now voiced by Janina Gavankar.
• Azaria stepped away from voicing Apu following criticism of the character’s portrayal of South Asians, particularly in the 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu.

After nine years of silence, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is finally back on The Simpsons. The Kwik-E-Mart owner made his long-awaited speaking return to the screen in Sunday’s Halloween-themed episode, Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening, though he might sound a little different than you remember.

For more than three decades, Hank Azaria has been the voice behind some of Springfield’s most recognisable characters. From Moe Szyslak and Chief Wiggum to Comic Book Guy, Professor Frink and Dr Nick (“Hi, everybody!”), chances are you’ve heard him several times in the same episode. But there’s one place you won’t hear him anymore: behind the counter at the Kwik-E-Mart.

That’s because there’s a new voice actor in town: South Asian actor Sunil Malhotra has officially taken over as the voice of Apu, marking the character’s first speaking appearance since October 2017. But he isn’t the only family member with a new sound. Janina Gavankar has joined the cast as Apu’s wife, Manjula, with both characters making their return ahead of next week’s annual Treehouse of Horror special. Wonder who’s going to voice the Octuplets.

Why Did Hank Azaria Stop Voicing Apu?

If you’re one of those people who reckon The Simpsons jumped the shark when the real Seymour Skinner turned up in season nine’s The Principal and the Pauper, you might have missed the whole Apu controversy in the first place.

Azaria voiced Apu for close to 30 years before the character became the subject of renewed criticism following comedian Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary, The Problem With Apu. The film explored how Apu’s exaggerated accent and portrayal as an Indian convenience store owner contributed to South Asian stereotypes.

In 2020, Azaria announced he would no longer voice the character. While Apu continued to make occasional background appearances, he hadn’t spoken on the show since the 2017 episode The Serfsons. And after nine years of silence, The Simpsons have finally heard our chorus of “Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart” with the arrival of South Asian actor Sunil Malhotra.

Sunil Malhotra Is Apu Nahasapeemapetilon

Taking over such a recognisable character wasn’t a decision Malhotra made lightly. Speaking to Variety, the actor said he initially worried about taking on the role, concerned about how the show’s producers might acknowledge past mistakes in their portrayal of Apu.

“When my agent called me about a ‘Simpsons’ audition, I knew exactly what role it was for, and the idea actually made my stomach sink,” he said. But it also made him curious about what the character could be after eight years without speaking.

“Could I make the character my own, and reclaim him in some way?” Malhotra recalled asking himself before accepting the role. “And could they achieve all of that in an unmistakably ‘Simpsons’ way that didn’t disappoint fans?” After meeting with showrunner Matt Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos to discuss the character’s future, Malhotra reflected on the experience:

“It was the beginning of a deeply collaborative experience that I hope is equally satisfying for longtime fans of ‘The Simpsons’ and for other South Asian kids who, like me, stopped watching at some point along the way.”

On Instagram, Malhotra described the character’s return as a reclamation and a homecoming, while Selman confirmed that Apu won’t be disappearing into the background again.

“We love this character, and wanted to bring him back in a smart, ‘Simpsons’-y way that allowed him to evolve,” Selman said.

With the Kwik-E-Mart back in business and Apu finding his voice again, you’ll hear a lot more from the Nahasapeemapetilon family in Springfield. Thank you, come again.