Apu WHO?

... in July 29th Indian Express

His name is Apu Nahasapeemapetilon… A-pu Na-ha-sa-peem-apet-ilon… APU NA-HA-SA-PEE-MA-PET-IL-ON. Oh, just forget it. Apu is fine. This beloved Simpsons’ character was, for years, one of the only representations of Indians in American society: seemingly unpronounceable surname, accent thick as muck, menial job as the sole Kwik E Mart attendant. Today, Indians or characters of Indian origin are doctors, geneticists and specialists in astrophysics. Have American prejudices changed? Have Indians changed? Or are Indians becoming Americanised?

In the beginning, American TV created Apu. Few would argue that for a long time, he was the archetypal ‘Indian’ to a greater Western audience – and if we’re talking about stereotypes, an ignorant audience at that. But for some, the satirical cartoon show was not far off the mark. “Apu was portrayed as he should have been, as a thrifty businessman who cut corners where ever he could,” says Rishi Alwani, a long-time Simpsons fan. “Now, everything’s too politically correct for its own good and TV producers are always walking in a tightrope,” he continues.

Another avid Simpsons follower, Flavian Patrao, 23, describes the beloved Hindu as an exaggeration of how Indians are, but not the only representation. He sites the hugely successful comedy, The Big Bang Theory, which portrays physicist Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) as a different kind of Indian. Educated, hard-working, and paralysing shy with girls, Koothrappali represents the hordes of young Indians who go to the US dreaming of a different life. “I identify with both characters, but more with Koothrappali” says Patrao, who is a research consultant. “But both are hilarious”.

Television personality Archana Puran Singh, remembers The Simpsons rather vaguely, but Apu’s “appauling” accent instantly springs to memory. But as Indians investigate crimes and solve seemingly unsolvable medical cases, Singh no longer identifies herself with these Westernised Indian characters and their perfect white teeth. Referring to Mohinder Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) in Heroes, a geneticist with super-human strength, Sing says, “There is no Indian-ness about him. He talks with an American accent.” And with a hint of disdain adds: “these characters are not Indian, they’re American”.

Anil Kapoor, who plays Omar Hassan along side Kiefer Sutherland in 24, sees more and more Indian actors going to the West. Talking with an Indian Express reporter earlier this year, he said that for him, this influx of Indian talent is a welcome change. He concedes that the plots and characters are necessarily different than what would be found here at home, but the audiences are not the same either. For Kapoor, exposure is what counts.

Whether or not Indians on the Southern Continent can identify with those portrayed on the television screen, at least now the panoply of characters has expanded from one to many. And if Anil Kapoor is right, this is just the beginning.