Hank Azaria has spoken out about racism claims on the show (Picture: Fox/Getty)

Hank Azaria, the actor who voices Apu on The Simpsons, has spoken out about allegations of racism surrounding his character on the show.

The documentary The Problem With Apu aired on US channel truTV in November, and stakes the claim that elements of the Apu character are bolstering racial stereotypes.

‘It’s really upsetting that [his character, Apu] was offensive or hurtful to anybody,’ Hank has claimed, having initially maintained silence following the documentary.

Actor Hank Azaria says the documentary has made producers re-think the Apu character (Picture: Getty Images)

The documentary’s producers insist that elements of the character are troubling, including his arranged marriage, many children and that he is defined by being the owner of a convenience store.




Hank agrees that ‘the documentary makes some really interesting points’ and revealed that it has given ‘a lot for The Simpsons to think about’.

He stopped short at detailing any changes that will be made to the character, at this stage ‘we’re just really thinking… it’s a lot to digest,’ the actor reveals in his interview with the TMZ website.

The Problem With Apu is an American documentary made by South Asian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu, who confronts the projection of Indian culture on the show.

Is the character of Apu racist? (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)

The documentary includes interviews with famous comedians including Whoopi Goldberg and Aziz Ansari.

‘Of course he’s funny, but that doesn’t mean this representation is accurate or right or righteous,’ Hari told the BBC.

‘It gets to the insidiousness of racism… because you don’t even notice it when it’s right in front of you. It becomes so normal that you don’t even think about it.

Whoopi Goldberg features in the documentary (Picture: Variety/REX/Shutterstock)

‘It seeps into our language to the point we don’t even question it because it seems like it’s just been that way forever’.

Hari told Totally Biased that Apu is ‘a white guy doing an impression of a white guy making fun of my father’.

The Simpsons, which began in 1989, is currently airing its 29th season, and holds the title for longest-running American sitcom.

Comedian Hari Kondabolu, whose documentary has raised the issue (Picture: Getty Images for truTV)

Hank Azaria voices a number of other characters on the show, including Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Homer’s friend Moe Szyslak, and Chief Wiggum.

Away from his work as a voice actor on The Simpsons, Hank is known for his film work including Along Came Polly with Jennifer Aniston, and Night Of The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian.

The Simpsons airs on Sky in the UK and you can watch The Problem With Apu on TruTV.

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