Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has his own voice back on The Simpsons. The character had been relegated to silent background appearances since 2017, after Hank Azaria decided to stop voicing him. Season 38 has put an end to that limbo with an episode that turns the character's own absence into part of the plot.
The change comes at a particularly sensitive time for the series, which for years avoided making a clear statement about the future of one of its most recognizable yet most debated characters. Resolving that situation now, with a new voice and active dialogue, marks a significant turn in how Springfield faces its own past.
A Halloween special as a starting point
The return takes place in Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening, a special that openly plays with the idea that Springfield had been acting as if Apu had never existed for nearly ten years.
The story begins with Homer and other neighbors accidentally hitting a person on Halloween and deciding to hide the body instead of calling the police. A year later, the victim returns seeking revenge, and the script reveals that almost all of Springfield ended up involved in the same death and the same attempted cover-up.
The victim, ultimately, turns out to be Apu. The Kwik-E-Mart itself appears closed during the episode, reinforcing the idea that the town moved on without ever facing what happened to the character.
Sunil Malhotra, the new voice of Apu
Outside of fiction, the most relevant detail is the change in voice actor. Sunil Malhotra is now in charge of playing Apu, becoming the first person to voice him after the departure of Hank Azaria.
Malhotra has a background in animation and voice acting, with roles in productions such as The Legend of Vox Machina and Go! Go! Loser Ranger!. His addition allows the character to have active dialogue in the series again, something that had not happened since the episode The Serfsons, which aired in 2017 during season 29.
Since then, Apu had appeared only in group shots or small background gags, including another recent Halloween special, but without any lines of dialogue.
The series openly acknowledges years of indecision
What is striking about the new episode is that it does not hide the discomfort accumulated over nearly a decade. The script uses that situation as comedic material and includes quite direct lines about how the character was handled.
When Bart tries to justify why everyone acted the way they did, he admits they were scared and simply didn't know what to do. Lenny mentions that they had numerous internal conversations, and Carl finishes by pointing out that those conversations led nowhere.
The parallel between what happens within the fiction and the way the production itself handled Apu's future for years is evident.
Manjula returns with a new voice actress
The special is not limited to bringing back Apu. Manjula, his wife, also reappears, now voiced by Janina Gavankar, known for her role in The Morning Show.
Much of the story turns out to be a dream, which allows both characters to literally return to the usual Springfield universe once the episode ends. Homer even assures Apu that the town appreciates him and that it will not forget him again.
The introduction of new voices for both Apu and Manjula suggests that the intention is not limited to this one-off episode, although it is not yet confirmed what role both characters will have going forward.
The departure of Hank Azaria as the starting point for change
Apu's return inevitably required a new voice, as Hank Azaria had made it clear he would not play him again. The actor announced in 2020 that he was permanently leaving the role following the controversy generated by the character's portrayal.
From that moment on, the series chose to keep Apu visually present but without real participation in the plots. Meanwhile, other characters historically played by actors outside their ethnic origin did receive new voices. Malhotra's arrival puts an end to that difference in treatment within the cast itself.
What it could mean for the future of the series
It remains to be seen whether future episodes will pick up Apu's life at the Kwik-E-Mart, his relationship with Homer, or his role within the Springfield community. The special, at least, makes it clear that his reappearance is not intended as a simple one-off gesture.
After nearly ten years of avoiding the issue, The Simpsons has chosen to acknowledge that indecision within the story itself and move forward with a new voice for the character.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Apu stop having dialogue in The Simpsons?
Apu stopped having his own lines after Hank Azaria decided to leave the role in 2020, following the controversy over the character's portrayal. He had not had active dialogue since 2017.
Who is the new voice of Apu?
Sunil Malhotra, an actor with experience in animation and voice acting in productions such as The Legend of Vox Machina and Go! Go! Loser Ranger!, is the one who now plays Apu.
In which episode does Apu return?
The return takes place in the special Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening, corresponding to season 38 of The Simpsons.
Does Manjula also change her voice?
Yes. Manjula, Apu's wife, reappears in the same special voiced by Janina Gavankar, known for The Morning Show.
Will Hank Azaria play Apu again in the future?
There is no indication of that. Azaria announced in 2020 that he was permanently leaving the role, so the character now continues with Sunil Malhotra as the official voice.
Will Apu have more prominence in future episodes?
It is not yet confirmed, but the introduction of new voices for both Apu and Manjula suggests that both could maintain an active presence beyond the Halloween special.
