In this sometimes overly politically-correct world, comedian Hari Kondabolu created a documentary about Apu, the American Indian character with the over-the-top Indian accent in the popular “The Simpsons” animated show.

Apu has been screened in “The Simpsons” since it was first released on American television in 1989, but all of a sudden the character has become a huge problem for some. Hank Azaria, who does voice over for Apu and other characters in the show, has finally spoken up about the documentary and its accusations of racism.

Voice over actor responds to criticism of Apu in ‘The Simpsons’

As reported by the New York Daily News, Azaria does voice over for Apu, as well as Chief Wiggum and Moe Szyslak in “The Simpsons.” When Kondabolu first started filming his documentary “The Problem With Apu,” he asked Azaria to talk to him about the character, but the actor declined.

However, the documentary features interviews with several actors of Asian descent, including people like Aziz Ansari, Maulik Pancholy, Kal Penn, Samrat Chakrabarti, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Sakina Jaffrey, Hasan Minhaj and Aasif Mandvi. Many of those interviewed by Kondabolu spoke up about their childhood, recalling how they were given the nickname “Apu” at school or were even asked to speak like Apu from “The Simpsons” in auditions.

Now weeks after the release of the documentary, Azaria has spoken to TMZ, acknowledging the complaints made about Apu. While not directly apologizing, he told them he thinks the documentary did make some interesting and valid points and gave “The Simpsons” production staff plenty to think about, adding that they are doing so.

Azaria also said it was upsetting to hear that anyone was hurt or offended by the character or Apu and his vocal performance in the show.

Apu doesn’t ‘offend’ he ‘insults’

On Sunday night, Kondabolu responded to the voice-over actor’s comments on Twitter, saying the character Apu does not “offend” him, but rather insults him and his community.

He added that as an adult he has bigger things to deal with, saying his documentary was intended to tell Azaria and “The Simpsons” to go f—k themselves.

Should Apu be changed to be a role model?

TMZ noted that it sounds like the character of Apu might leave “The Simpsons” after the documentary accused the show of racism.

However, Kondabolu doesn’t believe that would be the answer.

In the documentary, he can be heard to ask for Apu to be given some “upward mobility.” He suggested Apu could become a character that opposes Burns (the boss of the power plant where Homer Simpson works). He even went on to suggest that as Apu has children, they should be allowed to talk in the show and to represent American Indians, asking their writers to consider writing to that voice.
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