US actor Hank Azaria addressed the growing controversy surrounding his character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from the long-running show, The Simpsons, during his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Apu, the Indian-American Kwik-E-Mart owner in Springfield, has been a mainstay character on the show for 29 seasons.
But criticism of the character resurfaced after comedian Hari Kondabolu looked into the representation of South Asians in his documentary "The Problem With Apu".
Azaria, who has voiced the character for more than 20 years, said his eyes "have been opened" following the criticism.
"Especially in the last couple of years, people in the South-Asian community in this country have been fairly upset about the voice and characterisation of Apu," he said.
Apu (pictured left) from The Simpsons and the actor that voices the character Hank Azaria (pictured right). Source: AAP
"It's sparked a lot of conversation about what should be done with Apu going forward.
"The idea that anybody, young or old, past or present was bullied or teased based on the character of Apu, it just really makes me sad.
"It was certainly not my intention. I wanted to spread laughter and joy with this character and the idea that it's brought pain and suffering in any way, that it was used to marginalise people, it's upsetting."
The actor said he would help oversee a transition of Apu, whether that was to promote a new direction for the character or not voicing him at all.
"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.
"I'm perfectly willing and happy to step aside or help transition it into something new. I really hope that's what The Simpsons does and it not only makes sense, but it just feels like the right thing to do to me."
In early April, The Simpsons addressed the growing criticism of Apu in a recent episode when Lisa Simpson responded to a question by Marge, saying: "Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?"
The scene ended with Lisa turning to her nightstand where a photograph of Apu had the line: "Don't have a cow".
Mr Kondabolu slammed the response from The Simpsons as "sad".
