The long-running iconic comedy that is ‘The Simpsons’ is set to retire one of its oldest and most beloved characters, Apu, following the recent controversy and backlash that the cartoon has received regarding the individual in recent years.
Specifically, the controversy which seemingly started following the release of Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary, ‘The Problem with Apu,’ found more individuals – or maybe the same amount being louder – complaining to the show over what they labelled as a racist portrayal of Indians and South Asians.
Furthermore, even South Park stepped in to call their fellow animated-series out for their “bigotry and hate,” although knowing South Park and their non-PC ways, this was likely a tongue and cheek way of making fun of the movement itself. However, that didn’t stop a few people taking their #CancelTheSimpsons seriously.
As for how we know they are dropping the character, the renowned film producer, Adi Shankar, quoted to IndieWire that: “I got some disheartening news back, that I’ve verified from multiple sources now: They’re going to drop the Apu character altogether,” adding: “They aren’t going to make a big deal out of it, or anything like that, but they’ll drop him altogether just to avoid the controversy.”
Currently, their way of removing the character from the series seems to have already taken place, in fact, Apu has recently appeared in the 10/14/18 episode titled ‘My Way or the Highway to Heaven,’ in which he can be seen depicted as an angel, maybe this is their final send-off for the character? I guess we will have to wait and see to be sure.
