'The Simpsons' finally brings back Apu — after 9 years of agonizing over political correctness

After nearly nine years of silence, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon returns to The Simpsons in the episode 'The Revengening,' with Sunil Malhotra voicing the character for the first time. The episode reveals a revenge-seeking Apu who has spent years on an 'island of forgotten garbage,' where he encounters Dr. Nick Riviera. The narrative doubles as a meta-apology for the show's handling of Apu after the 2017 controversy sparked by Hari Kondabolu's documentary, 'The Problem with Apu.' In a self-referential moment, the residents of Springfield—Marge, Bart, Lenny, Carl, and Homer—acknowledge past missteps, reciting lines that mirror the internal debates about Apu. Marge apologizes on behalf of the town; Bart and Homer acknowledge fear and neglect; other residents recall long discussions that went nowhere. The episode also features the moment where Apu declares, 'I am the man you left for dead' as he reasserts his presence. Hank Azaria stepped back from voicing Apu in 2020, leading to the casting of Malhotra for this revival, a move that also reflected broader conversations about representation and casting. The storyline positions Apu's return as a narrative device to address past grievances while continuing his legacy in Springfield.