The Simpsons’ Apu Has Finally Spoken on the Show for the First Time in Almost a Decade

“When my agent called me about a ‘Simpsons’ audition, I knew exactly what role it was for, and the idea actually made my stomach sink,” Malhotra told Variety. “But admittedly, part of me was also curious. It had been eight years since Apu had spoken on the show, and it got me thinking: Did the writers’ room look different now? Could they bring him back in a way that acknowledged and apologized for past mistakes? Could I make the character my own, and reclaim him in some way? And could they achieve all of that in an unmistakably ‘Simpsons’ way that didn’t disappoint fans?”

We Build LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty Burger

After some back and forth with the show’s producers, Malhotra was eventually convinced that the return of Apu was being handled in the best possible way.

“It was the beginning of a deeply collaborative experience that I hope is equally satisfying for longtime fans of ‘The Simpsons’ and for other South Asian kids who, like me, stopped watching at some point along the way,” said Malhotra.

In “The Revengening”, a man in a Daft Punk-inspired Halloween costume is accidentally killed over and over again by residents of Springfield. A year later, the man is still alive and taking his revenge on his would-be killers, one at a time. Eventually the costumed killer is unmasked and revealed to be Apu, who tells the town’s residents, “I am the man you left for dead. I am the one you pretended never existed!”

To which Marge, seemingly serving as a mouthpiece for the show’s producers, replies, “Apu, we’re so sorry we left you for dead. Believe me, wanted to do the right thing.” Bart then adds, “But we were so scared, and just didn’t know what to do.”

For his part, Malhotra seems satisfied with Apu’s reintroduction to the cast.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the sweetest part of all was unleashing that righteously rage-fueled “I AM APU!” — on behalf of so many of us — over and over in the studio until we got it just right,” said Malhotra. “I really feel like we did and I can’t wait for fans to see more Apu.”

Have you watched “The Revengening”? What do you think of Sunil Malhotra’s portrayal of Apu? Is it a thank you, come again? Let us know in the comments!

Tristan Ogilvie is a senior video editor at IGN based in Sydney, Australia. He has 25 years of experience covering video games, having served as Deputy Editor on Official PlayStation 2 Magazine Australia and as Editor of Official Xbox 360 Magazine Australia, before joining IGN in 2009. You can find him on Bluesky @tristanogilvie.bsky.social