After years of backlash, Apu returns to ‘The Simpsons’ with a South Asian voice

Apu’s unheralded return is a remarkable twist to a yearslong discourse about how the character has represented a painful stereotype for some South Asian Americans. After a 2017 documentary by comedian Hari Kondabolu, “The Problem With Apu,” the character was largely exiled from the screen. How a documentary on Apu became a turning pointIn “The Problem With Apu,” Kondabolu, a self-described fan of the Fox show, tried to process his misgivings. He interviewed a slew of celebrities of South Asian origin, including Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Hasan Minhaj, about growing up with the character. They shared memories of being bullied and called “Apu” as an insult. Adding to their view of Apu as just a caricature was that Hank Azaria, a white actor, voiced him. With the full name of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon Jr., he felt like the “forever foreigner, someone who represents Indians in the United States through this sole typology of being a convenience store owner, being a recent immigrant, having this heavy accent, being really limited in this sort of like American identity,” says Bhoomi Thakore, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut.

“I am Apu!” he yells as he removes a Daft Punk-inspired helmet off to reveal himself. “You thought you could just get rid of me? That I’d disappear?” he asks the assembled residents of Springfield. “That there wouldn’t be consequences for the horrible thing you did?”Get Starting PointA guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter EmailApu was voiced in the episode by Sunil Malhotra, whose voice credits include “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi” and “The Legend of Vox Machina.”“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.”For decades, Apu was voiced by Hank Azaria, who is white, and became notable for his catchphrase, “Thank you. Come again,” delivered in a cartoonish Indian accent. Hari Kondabolu in a scene from "The Problem with Apu. "APIn 2017, comedian Hari Kondabolu, who is of South Asian descent, released “The Problem With Apu,” a documentary film detailing the ways he, and many other South Asian performers, found the character offensive.

LOS ANGELES -- The "Dancing with the Stars" theme for week 6 is the always popular, fan favorite "Dedication Night. "Each celebrity dedicates their performances to people and places that have made a lasting impact on their lives. It's a tissue-filled episode, with emotions running high. Former pro and two-time mirror ball champ Kym Johnson joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli at the judge's table. A familiar face was missing from the ballroom: dancing pro Val Chmerkovskiy, who was suspended for one week after posting "an inappropriate remark" on social media after week 5's "Super Bowl Night. " Chmerkovskiy released an apology. But for this week, Alan Bersten filled in and danced with Jenna Dewan. Here's a rundown of the night's scores, from highest to lowest:Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov: Contemporary to "Breathe Me" by Sia, dedicated to Amber's sister, Brooke. Kym was blown away by the raw emotion, vulnerability and athleticism of the routine. Bruno called it an emotional tour de force and absolutely brilliant. Carrie Ann thanked them for using the platform to send an important message to the world.

“Sadie’s family had three siblings, and I coached all of them,” Beaton said, recalling Clarkin’s older sisters, Lily and Zoe. “There is always that one kid where you say, ‘Oh gosh, I can’t not coach them in their senior year.’ ” So for Sadie Clarkin and the rest of the seniors, Beaton let that annual thought to leave the sidelines dissipate. She’s glad she did. On Saturday, Sandwich did something they had not done in Beaton’s tenure, which dates back to 1999: beat three-time defending Division 1 champion Walpole, which it did 3-0. Get Varsity NewsYour weekly look at the top high school sports stories. Enter EmailIn her 27th season, Sandwich coach Kelsy Beaton is at home on the sideline. "I love being around the kids, and I love all the little intricacies of coaching. "EVAN WALSH“Having coached as long as I have, I had never beaten or tied them until last year when we tied them,” Beaton said. “Then this year, we beat them. So I feel bad because I do really like [Walpole coach Jen Quinn] and respect their program completely, but for us, that was just a huge win.”Ranked No.

Sandwich (15-0-0), the only unbeaten/untied team in this week’s Globe Top 20 field hockey poll, surges to the No. 1 ranking, up from No. 3. At 4.68708 points, the Division 3 Blue Knights have the highest power ranking across all four MIAA divisions. Franklin (13-1-1), dealt its first loss Monday to King Philip in a nonleague game, drops to second, and Belmont (12-0-1) remains third. Lincoln-Sudbury (10-0-1), still atop the D1 rankings, holds at No. 4, Watertown (13-1-1) stays at No. 5, and Dover-Sherborn (12-1-1) remains at No. 6. Canton (13-2-0) and Andover (12-2-0) switched positions to No. 7 and No. 8 after Canton’s 3-1 win over No. 18 Attleboro (8-5-1) and 4-2 win over No. 11 King Philip (11-3-0). Somerset Berkley (11-1-1), which tied juggernaut Uxbridge, 5-5, is ninth, and KP 11th, followed by Acton-Boxborough (10-3-1) and Milton (9-0-2). Walpole drops to 13th after absorbing its third loss. Cohasset, No. 1 in Division 4, is 19th. Records based on scores reported to the Globe. The Globe’s Top 20 field hockey pollThe Globe poll as of Oct. 21, 2026. Teams were selected by the Globe sports staff. Inaaya Omer can be reached at inaaya.omer@globe.com. Girls' rugby

Junior Emma Cormier (left) netted three goals against Old Rochester and a penalty stroke against Uxbridge. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe StaffHere are the notable performances this past week from high school field hockey players competing in Eastern Mass. conferences/leagues. Emma Cormier, Somerset Berkley — With three goals against Old Rochester on Monday and a key penalty stroke goal in Saturday’s 5-5 draw with Uxbridge, the junior was impactful for the No. 9 Blue Raiders. Audrey Heath, Swampscott — The senior scored six goals over three games: a hat trick against Saugus (5-1 win), two goals against Danvers in a 3-3 tie, and a goal vs. Peabody in a 9-1 romp. Abbey Pompei, King Philip — A third-quarter goal by the senior proved to be the game-winner for the No. 10 Warriors in a 2-1 victory, the program’s first over Franklin since 2018. Halle Tisbert, Andover — The junior had five goals for the No. 8 Golden Warriors, including a hat trick Monday in a 5-1 Merrimack Valley Conference win over Chelmsford.