The beloved Springfield shopkeeper Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has finally spoken on an episode of The Simpsons after an eight-year absence. The character had been kept in the background without dialogue since late 2017 following widespread discussions regarding racial caricatures in media.

During the Sunday broadcast titled The Revengening, the Kwik-E-Mart proprietor made his dramatic return with a new voice provided by actor Sunil Malhotra. The appearance of the character had been kept under strict wraps prior to the airing of the program.

Apu has been a fixture of the long-running animated series since 1990, but the role was originally handled by white actor Hank Azaria using an exaggerated accent. That casting choice drew increasing criticism over the years, most notably highlighted by comedian Hari Kondabolu in his 2017 documentary focusing on the character's cultural impact.

Azaria ultimately stepped away from the voice role in 2020, expressing deep regret over his involvement in perpetuating cultural stereotypes. Following his departure, the character was occasionally seen in crowd scenes around town but remained entirely silent for nearly a decade.

Malhotra admitted that he initially felt apprehensive when his agent contacted him regarding the audition. However, discussions with showrunners regarding a more respectful and culturally thoughtful approach ultimately convinced him to take on the part.

In addition to the recasting of Apu, his wife Manjula has also received a new voice actor. Performer Janina Gavankar has taken over the role previously handled by voice actresses Jan Hooks and Tress MacNeille.

The storyline for the comeback episode featured a running gag involving a character in a costume who repeatedly suffered accidental injuries from local residents. That character eventually gathered the town at City Hall, removed his helmet, and revealed his true identity as the long-absent shopkeeper.

After recounting his bizarre ordeal of survival and medical recovery, the character confronted the townspeople about being ignored and abandoned. The dramatic confrontation offered a tongue-in-cheek nod to his extended absence from the canvas of the show.

Malhotra described his involvement as a meaningful homecoming and a collaborative effort to reshape the character for modern audiences. Producers worked closely with the actor to ensure the integration respected both legacy viewers and South Asian fans who had felt alienated by past depictions.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.