The Problem with Apu is a new documentary about Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, who is one of the most recognizable characters on The Simpsons. As its name states, said documentary is focused on how the character perpetuates a number of stereotypes about Indians as well as other South Indian people, which are then used to mistreat people belonging to those groups. The Problem with Apu is headed by the comedian Hari Kondabolu, who was fond of the character as a child but became more critical when he started seeing the impact that the character has had.
Primarily, the documentary consists of a series of interviews that Kondabolu conducted with other South Asian-American entertainers, who often recounted stories of being called “Apu” by other kids, being asked to say Apu’s lines by random strangers, and being asked say their lines in a manner like Apu when auditioning for roles. Ultimately, The Problem with Apu champions the position that Apu is essentially a case of brown-face minstrelsy, which is particularly problematic because of the character’s disproportionate influence as a result of the dearth of South Asian characters on the TV screen.
How Did Hank Azaria and Others React to The Problem with Apu?
Of course, Kondabolu has shown a lot of interest in speaking with Hank Azaria, who is the voice actor for Apu along with other characters on The Simpsons. Unfortunately, Kondabolu was unable to arrange for an interview with Azaria, who was afraid that his responses would be edited during the film production process to create misleading footage. Azaria did agree to a discussion on a radio show hosted by either Terri Gross or Marc Maron, but for whatever reason, he backed out when Kondabolu agreed to show up for the discussion as well.
With that said, Azaria did express that it was upsetting to learn that the character hurt some of the viewers. Furthermore, he stated that the documentary raised some interesting points, which have given him as well as the other people behind The Simpsons something to mull over. Something that could mean upcoming changes to the character in the not so distant future.
What Happens Next?
There are a number of possibilities for what might happen next with Apu on The Simpsons. For example, it is possible that Apu will just disappear from future episodes, which would be the minimal-effort solution for the series. However, this would be less than optimal, not least because there is so little representation of South Asian-Americans on the TV screen as it is. Instead, a better solution would be The Simpsons introducing a new and improved Apu that relies less on stereotypes about South Asian people while still remaining as much a bumbler as the other characters on the series. Of course, this is something that would need the people behind The Simpsons to make a lot of changes, which would mean not just a lot of time and effort from them but also consultations with relevant parties. As a result, it remains a real possibility that Apu will be removed from The Simpsons, which would be a simpler but much less satisfying option.
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