The Simpsons Actor Hank Azaria Wants To Apologise To Every Indian For Playing Apu

Hank Azaria has said that he would like to apologise to every Indian for the offence caused by him playing Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in The Simpsons.

The actor recently opened up about a visit he paid to his son's school, where he talked to students about the character.

Speaking on Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepherd, the 56-year-old recalled how a young Indian pupil told him how his actions have such a huge consequence on others' lives.

Azaria said: "I was speaking at my son's school, I was talking to the Indian kids there because I wanted to get their input.

"A 17-year-old... he's never even seen The Simpsons but knows what Apu means. It's practically a slur at this point.

"All he knows is that is how his people are thought of and represented to many people in this country."

PA

Adding: "I really do apologise, it's important. I apologise for my part in creating that and participating in that.

"Part of me feels like I need to go to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize. And sometimes I do."

Last year, Azaria officially stepped away from the character.

In an interview with The New York Times, he said: "Once I realized that that was the way this character was thought of, I just didn't want to participate in it anymore.

"It just didn't feel right."

The issues with the character and its portrayal was really brought to light in the 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu.

20th Century Fox

In the wake of Azaria's decision to stop playing the character, the filmmaker behind the doc, Hari Kondabolu, said he had no issue with him.

He The Times: "Whatever happens with the character, to me, is secondary.

"I'm happy that Hank did the work that a lot of people wouldn't have. I feel like he's a really thoughtful person and he got the bigger picture."

The Simpsons' executive producer Al Jean has spoken in the past about the Kondabolu's documentary and that the writers team have discussed the issue.

Speaking in 2018, he said: "Some people are offended by the character and I take that very seriously.

"Others really love the character. It's a difficult choice. I don't want to offend people, but we also want to be funny.

"We don't want to be totally politically correct. That has never been us. It's given us a lot of thought."

Topics: Entertainment, US News, US Entertainment

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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