# Apu returns to The Simpsons

Pop culture · Heat 1.3 / 10 · 2 shows · 5m airtime

Apu and his wife Manjula returned to The Simpsons on the Sunday night broadcast of 18 October 2026, after nine years away, now voiced by South Asian actors Sunil Malhotra and Janina. The recasting follows years of criticism that Hank Azaria, a white actor, voiced the character in a heavy Indian accent. Hari Kondabolu, whose 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu drove the criticism, welcomes the change but says it depends on how the character is written from here. Coverage since has focused on Apu speaking on the show for the first time in a decade, with Malhotra in the role.

Page: https://boilpoints.com/point/apu_returns_to_the_simpsons_2177103095

## Segments

- [Global News Podcast](https://boilpoints.com/u/globalnewspodcast), 2026-10-20, 26:01 to 28:16: **Reports Apu's return with South Asian voices**. Reports the return of Apu and Manjula to The Simpsons after nine years, now voiced by South Asian actors, and plays Hari Kondabolu's reaction welcoming the recasting while cautioning that the writing will decide whether it works. New angle: Apu and Manjula return to The Simpsons voiced by South Asian actors Sunil Malhotra and Janina.
- [Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac](https://boilpoints.com/u/dailycomedynewswithjohnnymac), 2026-10-21, 3:37 to 6:09: **Recaps Apu's return and the apology**. Recaps Apu's return to speaking on The Simpsons, quoting Matt Selman's statement and Malhotra's comments on the audition, and walks back through Kondabolu's 2017 documentary and Azaria's 2021 apology. New angle: Apu speaks on The Simpsons for the first time in a decade, voiced by Sunil Malhotra.