Apu Nahasapeemapetilon made his first appearance on “The Simpsons” since 2017 in the recent episode, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening.” Despite being seen in the background over the years, the character had not spoken due to concerns about perpetuating racial stereotypes.

Sunil Malhotra, an Indian-American actor known for his work in “The Legend of Korra,” now provides the voice for Apu, taking over from Hank Azaria, a white actor who had voiced the character for nearly three decades. Azaria publicly apologized in 2021 for his involvement in creating and portraying the character, expressing regret and a desire to personally apologize to the Indian community.

The debate surrounding Apu’s representation intensified in 2017 following the release of the documentary “The Problem with Apu” by comedian Hari Kondabolu, which criticized the character for embodying racial stereotypes. Kondabolu highlighted the discomfort of hearing a white actor like Azaria voicing a character that many perceived as mocking South Asian culture.

The return of Apu was a surprise to viewers and was kept under wraps until the episode aired. The show’s producers have indicated that Apu and his family will have more prominent roles in future episodes, aiming to evolve the character in a way that respects past criticisms.

The recasting of Apu with Sunil Malhotra and other characters of color with actors of the same background reflects a broader shift in the industry towards more inclusive casting practices. The decision to bring in new voices for these roles has received mixed reactions online, with some fans excited about the character’s return while others remain critical of the changes.