After years away from the spotlight, a familiar Springfield resident has finally returned, and the revival comes with a major change behind the microphone. The Simpsons has reopened the door for a character whose absence became a long-running talking point among fans and the show’s creative team.
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon returns on The Simpsons
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon returned in the episode Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening, marking his first appearance since October 2017.
According to Variety, actor Sunil Malhotra now voices the Kwik-E-Mart owner, replacing Hank Azaria, who stepped away from the role amid controversy surrounding the character’s portrayal. Apu’s wife, Manjula, also returned, with Janina Gavankar providing her voice. The episode even brought back the Kwik-E-Mart, which long-time fans recognize as another important part of Springfield.
Executive producer Matt Selman said the creative team wanted to revive Apu in a way that allowed the character to evolve. “We love this character,” Selman said, adding that the team was excited by what Malhotra had already brought to the role.
Malhotra also shared his enthusiasm, saying “I AM APU!” He also said he worked to get the performance right and looked forward to fans seeing more of the character. “..…Over and over in the studio until we got it just right. I really feel like we did, and I can’t wait for fans to see more Apu,” he said.
The episode uses a spooky revenge scenario to address Apu’s disappearance. In the story, he confronts Springfield residents after feeling forgotten and abandoned, accusing them of acting as though he never existed. The sequence eventually turns out to be a nightmare, bringing Apu back to the Kwik-E-Mart, where Manjula and Homer welcome him. The return originated with staff writer Nick Dahan and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos.
The production kept the surprise tightly guarded through nondisclosure agreements and withheld press screeners. With the characters now back, the show plans to give them a more regular place in Springfield’s future.
