The ‘Apu’ star Hank Azaria last week volunteered to ‘step aside’ from playing the controversial character on The Simpsons.
The actor appeared on Tuesday's episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and talked about the recent controversy surrounding the character he voices, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
It comes after a recent documentary, 'The Problem with Apu', by US-based comedian Hari Kondabolu which criticised the portrayal of the character, calling it a negative, stereotypical representation of South Asians.
In the show, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is a character of Indian descent with a thick accent, who operates the Kwik-E-Mart convenience store in the fictional town of Springfield.
Homer and Marge, and Manjula and Apu on Much Apu About Something episode of THE SIMPSONS airing Sunday, Jan. 17. Source: FOX Image Collection
Azaria, who has voiced the character for more than 20 years, said his eyes "have been opened" following the criticism, saying that he is willing to ‘step aside’ from playing the character.
"I really want to see an Indian, South Asian writer, writers in the room, not in a token way but genuinely informing whatever new direction this character may take, including how it is voiced or not voiced," he said.
The actor said he would be willing to help oversee a transition of Apu, whether that was to promote a new direction for the character or not voicing him at all.
If we were to recast the character in 'The Simpsons', here are some suggestions as to who could audition for the role.
Hari Kondabalu
attends truTV Presents: "The Problem With Apu" DOC NYC screening and reception on November 14, 2017 in New York City. 27466_001. Source: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for truTV
We believe he would be fantastic!
Kal Penn
Who would be better than Kalpen Suresh Modi aka Kal Penn to play the role?
We think the 41-year-old US-based actor, whose screen name is Kal Penn would be best able to relate to Apu’s character, an Indian living in an American society.
Kal Penn arrives at CBS's 1st National TV Dinner Night at the CBS Radford Studios in Los Angeles, January 2017. Source: AAP
Kal Penn is an incredibly talented actor, comedian, producer, and a former civil servant in the Obama administration - if that helps to be politically correct.
Aasif Mandvi
This British-American with Indian roots needs no introduction.
He is known for his performance and writing for shows such as 'The Brink', and 'The Daily Show'. Mandvi is a talented actor, writer and a producer with some great shows to his credit.
Born in Mumbai, Asif Mandvi moved to England before settling in the US. Source: AAP
Omi Vaidya
Omi Vaidya's became an overnight sensation after playing nerdy Chatur Ramalingam in 2009 film 3 Idiots.
We believe he will be a perfect fit for playing Apu on The Simpsons after we saw him as Balan, a first-generation Tamil-Brahmin Indian immigrant office manager, complete with a thick South-Indian accent, Salman Khan obsession, smelly lunches, and plans for an arranged marriage in Brown Nation, a comedy on Netflix about an Indian-American family in Queens, NY.
MUMBAI, INDIA - MAY 13, 2010: Actor Omi Vaidya (Photo by Satish Bate/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) Source: Satish Bate/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Ranvir Shorey
Indian Bollywood actor Ranvir Shorey attends the launch of the book "Yesterdays Films For Tomorrow," a compilation of the writings of film archivist P.K. Nair. Source: AFP/Getty Images
Shorey is popular for his comic performances in films such as 'Khosla ka Ghosla' and 'Singh is King' and we believe his voice would perfectly fit Apu's character.
What do you think?
