Apu Returns To 'The Simpsons' With Veteran Actor Sunil Malhotra Taking Over The Voice Role
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has officially returned to speaking duties on 'The Simpsons' with veteran performer Sunil Malhotra taking over the role, according to reporting from Deadline. The recast follows an eight-year period during which the character remained silent on screen after a 2017 documentary sparked intense dialogue around the portrayal of South Asian characters in animation. Malhotra makes his debut in the new episode titled 'The Revengening.'
After nearly a decade of silence on network television, one of Springfield's most recognizable residents has spoken once again. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon made his long-awaited vocal return to "The Simpsons," with veteran voice and screen performer Sunil Malhotra officially taking over the part, according to reporting by Deadline.
The transition marks a pivotal turning point for the animated series. Actor Hank Azaria voiced the character for close to 30 years until a 2017 documentary ignited a widespread backlash concerning how the character represented South Asians. Following that public reckoning, the long-standing figure remained visible in Springfield backgrounds but was not heard speaking for eight years, leaving questions about the character's long-term fate unanswered until now.
Malhotra makes his debut in the episode "The Revengening," which Deadline reported serves as a prelude to the show's annual "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween special. The episode features a mystery figure navigating a storyline reminiscent of the Scream horror film franchise. When the unmasked figure reveals his identity, it turns out to be Apu himself, marking his first spoken lines on the show since the prolonged hiatus began.
Bringing the character back required careful reflection from Malhotra, an experienced voice artist whose background includes prominent video game credits such as World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Halo: Reach, Fallout 4, and Mortal Kombat 1. On television, Malhotra has built credits across titles including ER, Grey’s Anatomy, Cold Case, House, NCIS: New Orleans, The Loud House, Monster High, and Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi.
According to Deadline, Malhotra acknowledged initial hesitation when approached for the role. "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," Malhotra said. "But admittedly, part of me was also curious. It had been eight years since Apu had spoken on the show, and it got me thinking. Did the writers room look different now? Could they bring him back in a way that acknowledged and apologized for past mistakes? Could I make the character my own and reclaim him in some way? And could they achieve all of that in an unmistakably Simpsons way that didn’t disappoint fans?"
Malhotra made clear that he was prepared to turn down the opportunity on television's longest-running primetime show if the production team's intentions were not respectful. Before agreeing to an offer, he requested meetings with showrunner Matt Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos. Malhotra credited the production leaders with fostering a deeply collaborative environment, adding that shouting "I AM APU!" in the recording studio felt like a righteous moment on behalf of community members who had stepped away from the series.
The creative team expressed strong confidence in the casting and Apu's updated path forward. Selman told Deadline that the production wanted to bring the character back in a smart way that allowed room for genuine evolution, noting that the team is excited about Malhotra's contributions and looks forward to featuring more of Apu in future storylines.