Comedian Hari Kondabolu is using a new documentary to explore the creation and impact of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the controversial Indian character on The Simpsons. Kondabolu’s The Problem With Apu is a comedic look at minority media representation.
The fact that Apu is voiced by Hank Azaria, a white man, plays a part in why some people believe the heavy accented Kwik-E-Mart owner is offensive.
The Problem features South Asian entertainers Aziz Ansari, Kal Penn, Aasif Mandvi, Hasan Minjaj, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Aparna Nancherla, Russell Peters, Sakina Jaffrey, and Maulik Pancholy share their thoughts about Abu and negative stereotypes.
Whoopi Goldberg, W. Kamau Bell, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, and Mallika Rao also appear in the film. Michael Melamedoff served as the director.
The Problem With Apu is scheduled to premiere at DOC NYC on November 14. The documentary will air November 19 at 10 pm on truTV.
For more info about DOC NYC click it. Check out the trailer for The Problem With Apu below.