# The Simpsons character Apu reintroduction > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/the-simpsons-character-apu-reintroduction > Updated: 2026-10-24T01:12:00.000Z. Sources: 65. Developments: 2. The animated series ‘The Simpsons’ has reintroduced the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon following a nearly decade-long absence. The character’s return, featured in the Season 38 Halloween special ‘The Revengening’ (also referred to as Treehouse of Horror XXXVII), includes a storyline where Apu appears as a masked figure confronting Springfield residents. This reintroduction marks a significant shift in casting. Following years of controversy regarding racial stereotypes and the impact of the character’s portrayal—highlighted by the 2017 documentary ‘The Problem With Apu’—the role is no longer voiced by Hank Azaria. Instead, the character and his wife, Manjula, are voiced by actors of Indian descent, Sunil Malhotra and Janina Gavankar, respectively. Sunil Malhotra, an American actor born in New Delhi, India, provides the new voice for Apu. Voice actors Malhotra and Gavankar described the character’s return as a ‘rescue’ and a ‘homecoming’ in a joint social media post. Executive producer Matt Selman stated the intention was to allow the character to evolve and acknowledge past mistakes. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-24: The Simpsons brings back Apu with new voice actor The Simpsons has reintroduced Apu Nahasapeemapetilon with a new voice provided by Sunil Malhotra, addressing long-standing criticisms regarding racial stereotyping. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/the-simpsons-brings-back-apu-with-new-voice-actor ### 2026-10-19: Apu returns to The Simpsons with new voice actor Sunil Malhotra The Simpsons has reintroduced Apu Nahasapeemapetilon with dialogue after a nine-year hiatus, casting Sunil Malhotra as the new voice to address past racial stereotyping controversies. 59 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sunil-malhotra-debuts-as-the-new-voice-of-apu-on-the-simpsons --- Cite as: The Simpsons character Apu reintroduction. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/the-simpsons-character-apu-reintroduction