Apu's return in the latest episode, "The Revengening," was a closely guarded secret, with producers implementing strict protocols, including non-disclosure agreements, to keep the casting under wraps. The reintroduction of Apu also saw the debut of Janina Gavankar as the voice of his wife, Manjula.

For years, Apu's character was at the center of a cultural debate, criticized for perpetuating South Asian stereotypes. This controversy gained significant traction with the 2017 documentary "The Problem With Apu," which explored the character's impact. Following the documentary's release and widespread discussion, longtime voice actor Hank Azaria, who had voiced Apu since his debut, announced in 2021 that he would no longer play the character. Azaria publicly apologized for his part in the portrayal, stating, "Part of me feels like I need to go to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize."

In the wake of Azaria's departure and a broader industry shift towards more authentic casting, "The Simpsons" committed in June 2020 to having characters of color voiced by culturally appropriate actors. This led to other significant changes, such as Alex Désert taking over as Carl Carlson and Kevin Michael Richardson as Dr. Julius Hibbert. Apu's absence from speaking roles since 2017 left fans wondering if and how the character would ever return.

Executive producer Matt Selman explained that the creative team had been looking for a "smart, ‘Simpsons’-y way" to bring Apu back and allow him to evolve. The idea for his return in a Halloween-themed episode came from staffers Nick Dahan and Cesar Mazariegos. Sunil Malhotra, aware of the character's controversial history, approached the role with careful consideration. He engaged in extensive discussions with the producers to ensure the character's reintroduction would be handled with sensitivity and cultural appropriateness.

Malhotra reflected on the opportunity, stating, "Whether the producers knew it or not, I was prepared to walk away." He emphasized his commitment to avoiding stereotypical portrayals, having turned down similar roles in the past. His collaboration with Selman and Mazariegos reassured him that the show was dedicated to a thoughtful evolution of Apu.

The episode itself cleverly addressed the character's long absence and the show's past indecision. Apu appears as a mysterious "Daft Monk" seeking revenge on Springfield for abandoning him, only for the entire ordeal to be revealed as a dream. This meta-narrative allowed characters like Marge and Bart to offer apologies and acknowledge the "internal conversations" the show had about Apu. Ultimately, Apu accepts Homer's invitation to a Halloween party, signaling his full return to Springfield life.

With Malhotra and Gavankar now voicing Apu and Manjula, respectively, executive producer Matt Selman confirmed that the Nahasapeemapetilon family will be seen and heard more frequently on the show. Early reactions on social media have been largely positive, with fans expressing excitement and appreciation for Apu's return and the show's efforts toward representation.