Why was Apu the ‘Bane’ of Priyanka Chopra’s Life?

Priyanka Chopra Jonas spoke about Apu from The Simpsons and how the character was “the bane of my life”.

She explained that the character’s “exaggerated” Indian accent would lead people to question why hers was not as pronounced.

Priyanka made a cameo in the long-running show in an episode that showed her getting married to Nick Jonas.

She said that the cameo was ironic, given how the cartoon impacted her teenage years growing up in the United States.

Priyanka Chopra explained: “To be on The Simpsons in my wedding dress was really fun and ironic considering Apu was the bane of my life when I was growing up.

“Everybody kept asking why don’t I speak like Apu [Nahasapeemapetilon], why my accent wasn’t like Apu?

“Apu had a really exaggerated Indian accent as we all know now.”

Priyanka noted that the cameo was “bittersweet and funny because obviously, The Simpsons are an iconic part of most of our childhoods”.

The actress also pointed out the “irony of me in an Indian dress marrying a white guy”.

Apu was previously voiced by Hank Azaria.

His stereotypical portrayal was criticised by South Asian audiences which came to their attention after Hari Kondabolu made his documentary, The Problem with Apu.

In January 2020, the voice actor confirmed that he would no longer voice the character, saying:

“All we know there is I won’t be doing the voice anymore unless there’s someway to transition it or something.”

In a discussion with the host on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Hank said:

“I think the most important thing is we have to listen to South Asian people, Indian people… about what they feel and how they think about this character and what their American experience of it has been.”

In 2021, Hank apologised on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast for his longtime portrayal of Apu while also acknowledging the show’s participation in “structural racism”.

Elsewhere in Armchair Expert, Hank called for greater and more diverse racial and ethnic representation in entertainment.

He said: “If it’s an Indian character or a Latinx character or a Black character, please let’s have that person voice the character.

“It’s more authentic, they’ll bring their experience to it, and let’s not take jobs away from people who don’t have enough.”