Actor Hank Azaria wants to apologize to every Indian American for his racist portrayal of Apu

American actor Hank Azaria, who received criticism over his racist portrayal of ‘The Simpson’s Indian American character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, now wants to apologize to all the ‘Indian Americans’ for his role.

“There were very good intentions on all of our parts. We tried to do a funny, thoughtful character. And just because there were good intentions, it doesn’t mean there weren’t really negative consequences that I am accountable for,” he said during Monday’s episode of Dax Shephard’s Armchair Expert podcast.

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Speaking about the controversial portrayal of Apu, which has drawn criticism over the last few years owing to its racially stereotypical behavior, said that he understood the negative consequences of his role when he visited his son’s school and met a 17-year-old Indian American kid.

“It’s practically a slur at this point. All he knows is this is how his people are thought of and represented to many people in this country still.”

“With tears in his eyes, he said to me, and it was so sweet the way he put it. ‘Will you please tell the writers in Hollywood that what they do and what they come up with matters in people’s lives? Like, it has consequences?'”

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“I apologize for my part in creating that and participating in that. Part of me feels like I need to go on to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize. And sometimes, I do,” he said.

The sitcom was created by Matt Groening and is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie