The shopkeeper is branded an Indian stereotype in a documentary about the cartoon character.
Campaigners are upset about his cliched “immigrant” job, “thank you, come again” catchphrase and nearly unpronounceable surname of Nahasapeemapetilon.
Apu is voiced by white actor Hank Azaria, who admits he did not know any south Asians when he came up with his accent. Azaria, who also plays Chief Wiggam and barman Moe in the The Simpsons, has admitted Apu’s voice is “not tremendously accurate”.
Apu made his debut in episode eight of The Simpsons’ first series in 1990, making him one of the longest-running characters.
But his portrayal is attracting attention because of a documentary called The Problem With Apu. American comedian Hari Kondabolu, who made and presents the programme, said: “Everything with Apu is like this running joke.
And the running joke is that he’s Indian.”
The documentary probes claims Simpsons producers Fox have got away with stereotyping Apu by making him a nice guy.
Mr Kondabolu said: “Of course he’s funny, but that doesn’t mean this representation is accurate or right or righteous.
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“It gets to the insidiousness of racism, though, 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.” The 35-year-old stand-up comedian claims the character led him to be bullied and called Apu at school.
His documentary could increase the pressure on programme maker Fox to rethink the character.
A spokesman for The Simpsons did not return our calls tonight.
The Problem With Apu will be broadcast on Sunday on US channel TruTV.