The Problem with Apu

Synopsis

The Problem with Apu is a 2017 documentary by comedian and writer Hari Kondabolu that examines the cultural impact of the Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. Blending personal memoir, stand-up clips, interviews, and archival footage, Kondabolu explores how a single, long-running stereotype shaped perceptions of South Asian immigrants in North America. The film interweaves Kondabolu’s own family experiences and comedic voice with interviews of fellow comedians, academics, and writers to ask larger questions about representation, race, and media responsibility. While rooted in Kondabolu’s critique of The Simpsons’ portrayal of Apu, the documentary expands into a broader conversation about who gets to tell stories in popular culture and how caricature can affect real people’s lives. The Problem with Apu aims to be both forthright and accessible, inviting viewers to reconsider familiar comedy through the lens of identity and power without resorting to polemic or mockery.

Cast

• 

  Hari Kondabolu

  Self

• 

  Kal Penn

  Self

• 

  Hasan Minhaj

  Self

• 

  Aasif Mandvi

  Self

• 

  Utkarsh Ambudkar

  Self

• 

  Aziz Ansari

  Self

Reviews

Critical response to The Problem with Apu was largely positive among reviewers, who praised Hari Kondabolu’s frank, personal approach while noting limitations in scope. On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a strong critics’ approval (90%), with the site’s critical consensus noting its timely and thought-provoking examination of stereotyping in comedy: "A timely, punchy documentary anchored by Hari Kondabolu's personal voice." Many critics applauded the documentary for combining humor and earnest critique. For example, reviewers highlighted Kondabolu’s skill at turning personal grievance into broader cultural questions, calling the film "necessary," "clear-eyed," and "often very funny." Supporters pointed to the documentary’s strength in giving a platform to South Asian perspectives largely missing from mainstream conversations, and they credited Kondabolu for sparking an overdue public discussion about representation.

At the same time, several prominent reviews raised reservations about the film’s narrow focus and argumentative balance. Some critics argued that by concentrating primarily on Apu and The Simpsons, the documentary sometimes underexplores structural forces behind representation in Hollywood and does not fully contextualize how audiences interpret stereotypes. Others described the film as heartfelt but occasionally one-note, suggesting that a wider range of voices and counterpoints would have deepened the investigation. Viewer reaction has been more mixed; for instance, the IMDb user rating stands at 3.9/10, reflecting a polarized public response where some viewers felt the critique was overly personal or unfair to creators of long-running comedy.

Overall, reviewers tended to agree that The Problem with Apu succeeds as a personal, provocative conversation starter: it may not resolve all debates about satire and offense, but it effectively foregrounds questions of power and whose perspectives get centered in popular media. Critics recommended it both to viewers interested in media studies and to audiences wanting to reflect on how comedy intersects with identity.