An Indian's Response to The Simpsons Apu Controversy

[@giriraghu7]

Very true! Rather than getting triggered by Apu, we should get triggered by what Sheldon pollock, Wendy Doniger, and their ilk portray India and raise awareness.

[@shambhav10]

Completely agree, there's plenty of harmful representation of Indian/Hindus disguised as research that we should be focusing on, rather than get upset over satire.

[@sasmalprasanjit2764]

Thank God, guys some ppl like us could under the difference between Good humour VS Bad image like ARSEHOL ARSLAN did it. . Apr character is harmless. I grew up watching it

[@giriraghu7]

Very true. The Conservative Right battles the left in Europe, US, Canada, but the same Conservative right join hands with the left in India, by destroying our religion and culture. They work in symbiosis liberal left and these conservative christian org and their NGO's to create and exploit existing fault lines and weaken hinduism and carve out India so that it can be proselytized.

[@siddharthagautama1548]

Especially these academics who try to play a double of seeping into Sanskrit/Hindu civilization and then destabilizing Hindu and creating propaganda against Hindus. They never use one standard for criticism for Christianity they obfuscate into history and vague garbage but for Hinduism they make negative definitive statements and then create doubt for positive traits. Keep it up! These are the type of videos we need.

[@earthninja777]

This is very good I felt your points were spot on

[@NotTheLarryDavid]

You know it's a sad day when a youtuber has to teach a comedian how to appreciate satire. Thanks for this, Shambhav!

[@solouno2280]

Larry David that idiot is not a comedian... Teo Gonzalez is a comedian

[@maazkalim]

A) Mr "Enthusiastic" 'Anon', regardless of the PR - ‘The Simpsons®’ ain't no satire in this particular case. B) A satire is when a satirist pokes fun at perceived "evils" and "stupidity" of the target. C) So unless the "Apu-apologists" such as you are saying that TPTBs behind ‘The Simpsons®’ are in fact barely-closeted racists i.e. Asian/East Indians are "stupid" and "evil" in their worldview - the point gets a conclusion that the caricature named Apu is anything but so called “satire”.

[@jonminnella2168]

Larry if its really you I love your work

[@tvisuals5415]

COMEDIAN? ...He Should be laughed At! ....Cheers

[@donniebrasco1364]

Oh you speak mighty. Do you know who kapil dev is? The problem with the apu character is indian americans have to face the burden of being unfairly discriminated against or force to lower their standards as a human being just so that they can fit pop cultures mold of what they should be as a human being. What If they were meant to be a ladies man? Or tall strong football player? Or tall handsome basketball player? Would that kill your ego? Would that kill stereotypes? I'm a mutt. Im half indian half european. But I'm still happy of my indian side too.

[@AutismFamilyChannel]

White guy Christian Ned Flanders...mocked constantly in the Simpsons. As a white guy Christian, I don’t care and even can laugh at a bunch of the Ned jokes.

[@elijaharvinger1178]

Autism Family Nobody mocks Ned because he is a Christian or because he's white. People mock Ned because he is an emotionally repressed goody two shoes who can only express him self emotionally through a string of nonsensical babble and religious ideologies. The fact that he is Christian or white is never the punchline the fact that he's a nerd unable to express emotions because of his religious belief is the actual running joke.

[@jaceh4942]

Elijah arvinger this feels more accurate. I'm an atheist and I've never laughed at Ned for being Christian. I laugh at him because he's innocent and naive.

[@SwampCeeMcGee60]

Autism Family I don't think too many people paid any mind to the details and got over it (unless it was very blatant) or found it a tad hilarious. Now, no one can say anything.

[@elijaharvinger1178]

J A C E they even did an entire episode on why Ned was the way he was. It pretty much comes from a dysfunctional upbringing. He was litterally spanked silly by a psychiatrist.

[@shockerck4465]

Because you are white and not a whiny bitch.

[@muninrob]

I liked Apu, and TBH, Indians who live up to Apu's stereotype - He came to the country legally, worked his ass off, made something of himself, bought a business and a house, gave his family a good life. Apu is a better American (and person) than the rest of the Simpsons characters.

[@DemonicRemption]

+Robert Lockard According to Sham near the end of this video, Indians are generally well educated, hard working, financially well off. Traits that Apu has exhibited... What backwards Bizarro universe are we living in to where those traits are a negative stereotype?

[@the1tigglet]

Apu is a better American (and person) than any of the SJWs!

[@mephistp5543]

Apu at first was an inmigrant who went to the United States legally, to study. He stayed and his visa expired, but then much later he became a legal citizen using the proper chanels.

[@drakke125Channel]

why am i the only one who remembers him cheating on his wife on multiple occassions....not that it rly matters

[@Contemplativeman101]

@@drakke125Channel Yes with the Squishee girl right? But that if anything is just something realistic and not stereotypical isn't it? Some people unfortunately do cheat and it makes a character more than an outline of a character. But people do willingly forget this

[@lorenzoduron4848]

I mean they paint Apu with what I perceive to be positive stereotypes, aside from the voice, which if we're being blunt is a legitimate accent I've heard before, but they paint him as a business owner, great hardworking father to all of his kids without putting any up for adoption or getting a reality TV show like John and Kate plus 8 or whatever, he legally becomes a US citizen and express his love and embraces his new country as a positive contributor to his community, he's super resilient and he's been robbed multiple times and just keeps on trucking despite the flawed police chief of the town, to me he is a positive stereotype and it sounds to me like the biggest complaint is that a white guy is doing the voice so I ask, do we get triggered that Bart is voiced by a female? No we don't, we enjoy it either way.

[@ShamSharmaShow]

It literally never occurred to me that Azaria voicing Apu could ever be a problem till it was brought up by some folks and I still dont think its a problem. He Should have kept doing the voice, I'm sad that he is stepping down from it.,

[@lorenzoduron4848]

The Sham Sharma Show what I think is really going on is that the whole SJW crap he's pulling is a small percent of what's going on and this has more to do with the fact that The Simpson's aren't as relevant now as it was in its golden era and this is their way of trying to keep The Simpson name afloat. Think about it, why didn't he perceive this is an issue almost 30 years ago when he was asked to do the part? Is it just Apu he's going to stop doing it is he also going to stop doing all the voices he does? Because in order to do these voices for any of these characters you have to do them in a stereotypical way. We as a people instinctively know that which is why when we hear someone speak in a manner that isn't typical of their ethnicity or whatever it's very noticeable.

[@MrBillgonzo]

The Sham Sharma Show wait...he actually did step down?

[@ShamSharmaShow]

I think he was on Colbert talking about stepping away from the character. Not sure if he's steeped away just yet.

[@PowerCookie1]

Each one of those bullet wounds is a badge of honor

[@Vospader21]

I’m a 1st generation son of Indian immigrants. I loved the Simpson’s growing up, Apu included. But I was also bullied by other kids who called me Apu. The way I see it, it’s not Matt Groenings fault that those kids were jerks, and if you take Apu away they’ll just find something else to bully each other with. We need to instead focus on teaching kids why bullying is wrong.

[@Inaworldoflove]

Vospader21 thank you come again!

[@pehenry]

Totally agree. If it wasn't Apu, they would have found some other aspect to exploit. But can you really teach empathy? Are our brains capable of that at that young age? I can look back at my past self and now recognize the things I did back then were wrong. But I don't think I had the mental faculties to understand that back then.

[@pshuckle7488]

True. Kids find anything to insult over. Like shit I've been insulted from being too white in a majority white school.

[@miniredsatan]

thank you. come again!

[@heeroyuy5520]

Good point it's kind of like when kids make fun of other kids for having glasses never did any kid actually think that having glasses was badd they just knew it was the button they could push get a rise out of someone. Take away one Insult they will find another.

[@c4l1f0rn143000]

I have 3 corner stores near me, I go to the one owned by the Indian, his wife is there, his kids are there, hes open first and closes last, sometimes the change he gives me comes out of his own pocket, hes invested in that store, he smiles, he courteous , it makes me feel good to know that i am helping someone who is involved with his business, and it shows. I don't care about stereotypes , because real people are individuals, and cant be grouped together. +1 for picking battles.

[@candykanefpv]

Western Dreaming stereotypes are always based on some form of observation.

[@donniebrasco1364]

Well the problem is I'm indian, doesn't matter if I'm half an Indian and the other half is european. The fact is I have an Indian name. And so does kapil dev? Do you know who he is? He's not a joke. He happens to be a tall muscular ladies man and former hall of fame cricket legend and yes God forbid he's indian!!!! He's not smelly and actually smells very good and is strikingly handsome and doesn't speak with a funny accent. I don't either. I speak American english with a fluent American english accent(see my videos if you need proof) and see no reason why people like me though rare should be seen as invisible because I'm not average.

[@LukeLovesRose]

The local 7 Eleven has a total Apu look, sound and mannerism

[@dannypalin9583]

Apu has been around for nearly 30 years and now people find him offensive?

[@homelesshannah50]

He's only 26 he hasn't been around for 30 years

[@dannypalin9583]

Can’t you read? I said "nearly"

[@rra7490]

Umm the show existed way before any of these such issues started coming up and tv and movies were more free with their content. No one could forsee the change. Also generally shows and TV were about white folk and other cultures were generally just extras, I would say before the 2000's.

[@Observer9812]

Harvey Weinstein has been exploiting women since god knows when. And suddenly NOW people are speaking up?

[@srmohanty7460]

Danny Palin As an indian i think its totally fine. people most not react on such issues. Freedom of expression is more important.An artist should get that freedom to express himself.

[@Appleblade]

When you look at Apu's traits ... he's a harmless, non-preachy Vegan, business owner, PhD, faithful to his wife, sensitive ... they do have him selling some expired food (aha!) ... he's basically one of the best people in the show. To call his portrayal racist seems to be entirely unfounded. He's just 'a racial character' ... if you find him offensive, you probably just don't like Indians.

[@theprasoongupta]

Appleblade yeah most Indians are non preachy vegans.. Well I hate vegans coz they don't like milk even. I love milk . Proud non vegan

[@micahjohnsonboxing6409]

Apu cheated on his wife with the Squishy lady

[@noonefornow1514]

What! why would vegans not drink milk? I am vegetarian and love milk and milk products, there are so many milk based sweet dishes here in india.

[@theprasoongupta]

Radhika Sharma yes, India is different at many levels.. Most milk is procured from cows which are reared like family member.. But in west, cows are raised for milk brutally.. And that's why the vegan cult asks to not drink milk.. Vegan is different, vegetarian is different.

[@SimonPetrikov12]

He also knew American history really well. More so than the rest of the characters probably.

[@BigBossMan538]

I'm Italian and the Italian stereotype is funny. I don't want every Italian to be associated with pasta, Italy, etc. but I'm not going around online ranting about Italian stereotypes.

[@shambhav10]

BigBossMan538 word, my friend

[@themow432]

Shuddupah ya face!

[@BirdOPrey5]

Don't forget about Fat Tony and his gang. Not all Italians are in "waste management."

[@bryanotero123]

Buona sera Italian, tua cultura great, my gf love italian lang and music

[@Bock3039]

You don't want Italians to be associated with Italy?

[@anandpdurai7945]

Very well said Sham, Many Indian don't know their priority. Love you bro. Keep up the good work.

[@ShamSharmaShow]

Thanks Anand!

[@frozennostril]

An Irish response to an Indian's response.......... Great Vid!

[@ShamSharmaShow]

Haha Thanks mate!

[@legionSpat]

Best line: pick your battles.

[@Lilgreenman89]

Matt Groening put it nicely: We live in a time where people love to pretend to be offended.

[@meesterSmeeth4182]

That slob "comedian" wanted attention....and since he's not funny at all he did the easiest thing: Step 1: Be a minority Step 2: Pretend you've been a victim Step 3: Shout "RACIST!" Step 4: cash in

[@lordx4641]

White Smith true 😑😑😑

[@brandishawhite2201]

Minority? Yes. But nowhere in the entire video that guy tried to play the victim card. Nowhere did he call anyone racist. Get your bullshit somewhere else. At least watch the video before you start telling the world what a judgemental asshole you are. Cheers.

[@ameliakeppel8955]

Indians are one of my favorite groups to welcome to America. Every Indian I know is intelligent, observant, respectful, and kind. I've never had a bad experience with an Indian. When I was in college one of my favorite people was amarpal. I helped him with some art classes because they were really hard and I had previously taken them. In return his wife made me some home cooking. It was so cool to see what it was like to eat food that every day Indians eat, not like the restaurant stuff. He taught me a great love of tumeric and curry. His story of coming to America and working his way from poverty to upper class was beautiful and inspiring.

[@THEUNDERCOVERMONK]

Love from India

[@ameliakeppel8955]

@@THEUNDERCOVERMONK love to India!

[@themedivalchad]

@@ameliakeppel8955 But there is a lot of hate towards Indians in the western society, I literally cant understand why? Btw good to listen your positive towards Indians.

[@friendlyatheist387]

I am indian and I Love Simpson and the family Guy...I don't care about stereotype I love both shows because I understand humor

[@TheRishijoesanu]

Ankit tiwari Family Guy is terrible. Pick your TV shows.

[@rooroo8767]

Ankit tiwari me too my Indian brother. I love racist humour. It builds bridges imo

[@rooroo8767]

Rishi Joe Sanu it kicks ass. You make a better one. Bet you can’t...

[@spoda81]

That's the problem we've become to PC what ever happened to funny, I've never seen APU being targeted or anything negative about people from India,what a sad state of affair's the world is today.

[@jonathanw1019]

Remember that time Apu went to the bachelor auction and ended up with three dates in one night? Advanced college degree, owns a business, owns a house, doesn't like to talk but loves to listen, and in his free time he makes furniture and arranges it around the house. God what a horrible character! For all intents and purposes, Apu was and is probably the most well-rounded, well-written and well-respected character on the show since the fourth or fifth season, at least.

[@TheBombShhh]

kicking apu off the show is rediculous. he was one of the best characters, and was not simply just a convenient store owner, he was a well rounded character with depth, a family, a religion, a vegan, an excellent bowler, ect. plus i'd say he was one of the most intelligent characters on the show, way smarter than homer. i'm italian and they have several characters that are stereotype italian characters, fat tony, moe, the rest of the mob characters, and the restaurant owner who is the worst one, but i say leave them on because they are FUNNY and the point of the show is to be funny.

[@shambhav10]

TheBombShhh Hank Azaria really shouldn't have stepped down in my opinion

[@TheBombShhh]

at this point it doesnt really matter to me, cause the show stopped being funny around 1999, but i hate to see people think of apu as some sort of racist mascot, cause he was one of my favorite characters.

[@kpt002]

TheBombShhh And if you compare Apu to this guy, I mean, Apu really is one of the most intelligent and decent character in the show!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWbPiouXi9B0Zrc

[@DirectorxMizuki]

No one is asking for him to be kicked off the show tho.....

[@jgarfunkle]

It's funny cause with all of the controversies and ethnic ppl complaining and women complaining and trans complaining and filing law suits. Most businesses will do exactly that. They'll stop hiring them. It's not worth the risk and ridiculousness of sacrificing the business cause some 25 year old living with parents wants to complain about every splinter or bruise.

[@jimcyr7380]

I work for indians at nite . Showed them and they laughed. Great people hard workers . Clip i showed him was apu humming bird lol. Seriously though yall like your soap operas . He hired me so he could leave to watch them at home.

[@ShamSharmaShow]

Some Indians are crazy about that stuff dude, its ridiculous

[@MunkiZee]

Great choice of clip

[@preetikushwa7032]

Edward Norton | I guess that thing is common in most Asian nations,as people there prefer fair skin

[@alexishartig8933]

I always thought Apu was cool. I used to watch the Simpsons every night when I was a child. Apu was cool. He was a character with a great background story, smart, crafty, and has that bombin' meditation garden in his roof. All of those attributes are negated, because... Heee's Indian?

[@shambhav10]

Alexis Hartig exactly

[@noahburner3297]

Refreshing to hear an articulate, logical and real dude on this. Rock on brother!

[@Zeldahol]

I agree. I'm as white as they get born Canadian. Indians speak English way better that any other group of immigrants. They speak English better than me! Good call on the no gang thing as well. I always respect other cultures. It's not difficult to see stereotypes. I'm a lazy white guy that wasted his entire 20's with drug and alcohol abuse. I don't see why someone is offended by a comedic portrayal of their heritage. Besides hasn't everyone been made fun of by bullies? I think it's a part of life and as an adult I look back at my experience and the bullying made me stand up for myself which in turn has made me a better person.

[@shambhav10]

I think as far as stereotypes go, Indian stereotypes have improved over the past few decades, too. Sometimes a joke is just a joke, particularly in the case of the Simpsons where EVERYONE is a stereotype

[@Trilaan]

"The heart-removing mantra is India's best kept secret." Hah!

[@AmanKumar-kl2ne]

Yea. .let me read it for you..

[@4gegtyreeyuyeddffvyt]

I’d love to know it just in case.

[@facthub9964]

​@@4gegtyreeyuyeddffvyt its a secret buddy shhhhhh

[@whodatninja439]

Why arent people complaining about Cleveland Brown? Stereotype black man voiced by a white guy.

[@jonathanw1019]

Why aren't people complaining that Hank Azaria also voices Carl, one of two prominent black men on the Simpsons? When you think about it, there are more Indian-Americans in Springfield than african-americans.

[@bathoryaria4127]

I've always thought that too. Seriously have never heard one person bitch about that.

[@monks311]

Do you want people to complain about that? And everything you love and like? Think about it? Anime could be easily volatile if someone complaints about it and before eyou know, bye bye boobies and herem.

[@whodatninja439]

Rudy Flores I just don't understand why Apu is such a huge problem, when there a ton of problematic poc characters voiced by white guys. Shows how pointless the documentary is.

[@Chelaxim]

chi 5 Nobody watched The Cleveland Show.

[@Yourbloodamuzesme]

Growing up watching the simpsons, I didn’t see apu in a negative way. I saw him, and it helped me see real life Indian immigrants as hard working, family oriented, nice, and patriotic people. I grew up in the south so I rarely met Indian people. For me, the simpsons broke the stereotype I had seen from other movies and shows, and that’s why I hate this controversy.

[@siddharth__pandey]

Your channel is pretty underrated... Has relevant content to the youth.. Gonna share with all my friends

[@Halfdanr_H]

Right on Sham! I live in Britain and I'm not offended by the British stereotype in the Simpsons of bad teeth and posh accents. Context is everything.

[@utkarshvardhansingh1671]

Seriously... It's a funny cartoon. Move on!

[@hillaryclinton8729]

Utkarsh Vardhan Singh "funny"

[@aaryas6821]

He's Indian? Couldn't tell with the non-Indian last name. Looks like a bunch of jibberish.

[@jgarfunkle]

You don't understand. It doesn't matter if it's funny. It's nazi hate speech and your promoting alt right ideology. EVERYTHING has to be pc for reasons that can't be explained or understood. Except power and authority.

[@utkarshvardhansingh1671]

jgarfunkle thats social justice! I wrote an article about it sometime ago, how it's just evil Communism... t.co/PPlgrOc6nM?amp=1

[@jgarfunkle]

Utkarsh Vardhan Singh Oh believe me I know exactly what it is. It tries to disguise itself but it shows its true colors once you corner it. "Everyone's equal but some are more equal than others" is the logic and it's poison. Which is fine if you wana drink it yourself, but when you demand everyone drink it with you so you can all die and be miserable together is the problem.

[@Uggoo]

This guy gets it.

[@KC-ur7eo]

Love this video! Very funny while still delivering good points. So true about Indian gangs! They may be out there but I have never seen or heard of one EVER

[@peterthehappywaiguoren]

Right on. Great video. We need to fight actual racism, bias or oppression. Not the Simpson’s. Apu‘ s character is one of the first in mainstream America and he’s a great character, smart, a business owner, a family man.

[@dharmayogaashram979]

Something all Hindus should take very seriously is the massive phony yoga movement. This so-called "yoga" is "everywhere:" studios; community centers; schools; hospitals and even some churches. It is on TV commercials, magazines, etc. Remember the Sanskrit/Tamil word Yoga/Yogam has nothing to do with the physical body but is about yoking to Atman and Brahman. The simple question to put to all these places offering "yoga," "Is Yoga Hindu or not?" If it is, then why are you not informing people (lying to then) that they are practicing the Hindu religion? If they say "Yoga is not Hindu," then that is factually another lie. How are so many getting away with these lies? Why are so many Hindus totally unconcerned? Even worse why do many "Hindus?" (JV, Sri Sri and a host of others) reinforce the lie?

[@AmeyaVaidyaExEcutESC2]

Just explain Yoga as what it is, a philosophy in itself and that there are many forms of Yoga which includes the one where you contort your body to perform amazing feats. There is no need to call the exercise form of Yoga 'phony'. It's the money-grabber, the advertisement, the attention catcher. On the other hand, if we sit down and explain what Yoga means and how meditation works and what the philosophy behind Yoga is, then we help them see that not only is an important part of the Hindu philosophical system but that Hinduism is a very wide expanse of philosophy.

[@alexmercer866]

Yoga is a science. If yoga is Hindu internet is Christian.

[@AmeyaVaidyaExEcutESC2]

There's more to it than science. It's also a philosophy. Its an ancient tradition which means that science and philosophy are heavily intertwined.

[@giriraghu7]

The Yogam meaning u give here is one meaning that is reinforced in the Bhagavat Gita, like Karma Yogam, Bhakti Yogam, Gnana Yogam but take for ex. Pathanjali's yoga sutram and the eightfold path called, its to do with the body, mind and soul. The main problem is the digestion of Yoga into christianity and calling Jesus as your Guru and calling it Jesus Yoga. Please check out Rajiv Malhotra Ji's video with a person who has Jesus Yoga center

[@tejasvi18joshi]

Tanmoy Saikia tuj se yehi ummed. Ab samajh yoga bilkul Hinduism hai. Yoga moksha ka marg hai. Yoga is spirituality.

[@kencramer1697]

In my field as a network engineer I work with people from India constantly. I find them to be among the best and hardest working people I have ever had the privilege of working with. I find the culture fascinating and the stories they have shared with me are always intriguing. There are many things here in the west that seem just as out of place and odd to them as does to us looking at their culture. Different is not bad. Though I do have one question for you Sham. Where did the phrase "Please do the needful" come from? It is something that is on almost all correspondence from my Indian counterparts. Every email ends with "Please do the needful, then revert." I am assuming it comes from a translation error, but it is quite humorous that I am being asked to do a task and then undo it. Great video, and I like your position and thoughts on the Apu issue. Have a great day.

[@19683]

Why is it an error? Please do the needful means exactly that do the needful

[@chicawhappa]

@Ken Cramer they are just saying, do whatever needs to be done (to wrap this thing up), then get back to me :)

[@flintybraz1]

What if cops came forward and said they didn't like the portrayal of Chief Wiggum?! Gimme an effin break

[@Brofessor_Oak]

flinty braz you don't think they have? Lol

[@rra7490]

What you talking about? That's exactly how cops are!

[@flintybraz1]

and thats exactly how convenient store clerks are.

[@dtothee8730]

Well that's just a job, not a race. One can't change it's race so that's slightly different. That's what NPCs are gonna come at you and say with that kind of weak logic. You should just say "every other race gets made fun of so they are equal".

[@joedredd1168]

I like how a comedian is demanding we censor a comedic aspect of a television programme... A COMEDIAN, saying we should censor COMEDY... Let that sink in.

[@MunkiZee]

And he's not funny either

[@joedredd1168]

MunkiZee He's not my cup of tea either.

[@jorenbosmans8065]

This is actually An interesting perspective on the whole situation. Thanks for sharing it. Bgw, now I want a movie about Indian youngsters in America trying to start a gang, but constantly faillissement because their parents intervene.

[@nagar.apurva]

😂

[@sonicpstv2]

"How the hell did they find out? The heart removing montra is India's best kept secret." I love this guy.

[@TSPH1992]

Some people only live to protest

[@metalmurcielago]

The guy who was offended was offended because it helped his career.

[@shivamchandrol8641]

I thought 💭 same and I’m an Indian. Like you people too shouldn’t get offended by comedian remark .

[@farrel13sw]

I have indian ancestry and I love Apu. I was amazed how he was so similar to the shopkeepers I know in South Africa. Not one I know found offence in that guy. Indians have a great sense of humour.

[@imagetheory]

Excellent video and you are spot on about Reza Aslan! Keep up the great work!

[@pokerz1788]

Really excellent points made here, good job

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon (Bengali: আপু নাহাসাপিমাপেটিলন) is a fictional character in the animated TV series The Simpsons. He is the Indian immigrant proprietor of the Kwik-E-Mart, a popular convenience store in Springfield, and is best known for his catchphrase, "Thank you, come again." He is voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the episode "The Telltale Head". Since 2007, the character's alleged stereotyping of Indians, and voicing by a non-Indian, have been the source of controversy.

[@bullseye6969]

Indians dont sound like that at all. Or do we? XD

[@1337bG01]

Loved the video, man. Excellent perspective and insight on the shit people get worked up on for no reason.

[@ShamSharmaShow]

Thank you, mate! I agree, I think people tend to get a little bent out of shape for some things that don't really matter, while completely ignoring things that do.

[@spoda81]

I personally find him kinda cool Apu is always giving to the community,never heard him say anything bad about anyone.

[@bangoskank493]

I completely agree. I think Apu has had a positive impact on everyone's opinion of Indian people. He's one of the most moral characters on the show. In the episode where Apu applies for citizenship, it's revealed that he actually knows more about America than most Americans.

[@GrayWoIf]

The guy made a big deal because he was bullied as a kid because of Apu and well...the 90s are over I doubt kids even watch this show today to make fun of them because of Apu this argument is 20 years too late.

[@GrayWoIf]

array s I saw his documentary which fyi was a huge waste of time but at one point his own mother makes fun of him and says he has same hair as Apu. Case Closed.

[@tinycrimester]

Good video. I was a little worried where the gang joke was headed but you turned it around right at the end. :D

[@penske_material]

hey! I'm part of the gang community and I find that your last comment depicts us negatively and is highly offensive!

[@ShamSharmaShow]

Lawl I'm part of the community that puts a full stop after their heys. Your exclamation mark triggered me

[@penske_material]

The Sham Sharma Show 😂 but seriously, I never noticed before that you don't really see gangs from India and it's true. Pretty interesting. I guess in your culture respect for your parents is very important.

[@FreakinSweet1987]

This is probably the most rational and thought-provoking angle I've seen on this topic so far. The Simpsons has been my favorite show for basically my entire life (despite recent seasons going completely downhill) and even with my Italian heritage I often relished in the stereotypes like Luigi. I was always proud to be portrayed among Springfield and all the characters I loved as something over-the-top and hilarious. Just like Super Mario, the things that we can exaggerate about ourselves are often what make us unique as people. It's always nice to see someone with a normal point of view stand up in the name of controversial art. Particularly when that someone is of the same nationality and can see things from another angle.

[@tunnelliner.47]

Just subscribed, variety of opinion is a must. Like your style.

[@CapTashman1]

I work with a guy whose family is from India and he and I were talking about it, he loves The Simpsons, was called Apu growing up and just rolled with it. Great video.

[@Sydius]

Wow, this is great, finally someone with common sense. Thank you.

[@davegibbs6439]

I think this was the best explanation of it because Simpsons has been making fun of everyone equally for years. If you are being bullied chances are the insults being thrown at you will be racial or body type if they can use it. People get called Jackie Chan for being Asian or Cartman for being fat because its an easy joke anyone can make. I actually watched the trailer and thought it was more of an analysis on a character and culture. Once I saw a few scenes from it I found he had a big problem with a cartoon made by a company completely out of his control. If you are famous enough to get production on a project as a comedian chances are it did not "ruin your life" but was the reason his documentary exists.

[@AnyaArisohn]

Good video. Subbed!

[@iluomobravo]

I have always had a positive impression of Indian people going back to the early 80’s when there was a young Indian exchange student on our street. Apu was always amusing to me, but I never assumed that ALL Indians were like him and even if they were, Apu is not a bad person to be! Thank you for making this video and showing us your point of view.

[@hristdpat3865]

Nice video man

[@ShamSharmaShow]

Thank you!

[@Bigdaddyj0nj0n]

Dude, thank you man. I think you hit a bunch of things that I felt are wrong with this "documentary". And when you started all the good attributes with Apu, those are all true and good. Thanks for your rationale.

[@seangplays4473]

I don’t think what people understand is that literally every single character in the Simpson’s is a stereotype. From the fat American Homer, to the house wife Marge, to the rad and out of control Bart, to Willy the Scot, to Vietnam vet and boring principal skinner, to the fat and incompetent chief Wiggum, literally everyone is a stereotype. App is just one of them.

[@RavenRuled]

Good points. Whether you are a first generation or second generation immigrant, you can see some of yourself in Apu, Willie, Russell Peters, Robert Herjevic, etc. and say "I am not alone." I feel this "controversy" like a lot of others is more about the comedian attempting to perhaps cash in on outrage culture as it really sells rather than finding some real racism/classism.

[@brunoabrantes3505]

you are really good man, keep it up

[@harrypcs]

I fucking love you bro. This is the 2nd video of yours that I've watched. I cant wait to see what's in this channel. Thanks for this.

[@vineet2k1]

Very true, pick your battle wisely don’t waste your energy on unwanted things

[@Trademere]

I agree with your points. And I am glad you looked at the Positives of the Apu character. I haven't watched the Simpsons in a few years, just haven't had the time to sit and watch it, and I get good laughs at all the stereotypes and humor. They do make fun of everyone. I am glad that you decided to look at the positives and say "You know what, there are worse stereotypes out there and we should call them out" and to be honest, I haven't worked with many people from India, but the few I have, I liked them, they were humble and hard working. I never been to India, but I did ask them questions when I did work with them about India, and they were happy to answer questions and were extremely knowledgeable, I think they have more knowledge of home than I do of Canada where I live. Thank you for your thoughts.

[@markmolino6091]

Lol that's so true about the Indian gang joke ,but to put all jokes aside ,I think comedian who made the documentary is reaching to far with this one ,the cartoon was made at a time where the view of indians are like that ,but times change and according to you Indians have made a lot of stride since then ,it's like this BBC comedy I really like, I don't know if you heard about it ,but it's called Goodness Gracious Me and it's really hilarious ,its an Indian comedy that takes place in UK ,where it have plenty of Indian stereotypes that adapts to the British surroundings ,So I feel that the guy was being paranoid here ,but what could you do where you live in a world now where people are easily offended now by the slightest of things.

[@neonshadow5005]

Thank you for being someone else who is speaking SENSE about this "issue". Every single character on the Simpsons is like you said, an overblown stereo-type. Never once has any of this stuff affected how I view others. I wouldn't meet you on the street and think "Hey, I bet he's just like Apu!" That'd be absolutely stupid.

[@matwagonblott307]

U sir have just gaind a new sub I salute u.

[@shambhav10]

mat wagonblott thank you mate!

[@lostempire6862]

Truly appreciate your thoughts on the subject. Thanks, man!

[@ashwinsubramanya]

1:46 epic "how the hell did they know" saluté... Left lacks sense of humour.. Aziz Ansari is not Indian but well..

[@shambhav10]

ashwin subramanya thank you! And pretty sure Aziz's parents are from Kerala.

[@ashwinsubramanya]

Shambhav Sharma oh cool I confused him with Pakistani origin stand-up comedian... My bad always bad with names..

[@giriraghu7]

I think his parents are from Tamil Nadu, in Vogue 72 questions video he spoke a sentence in Tamil.

[@mattsmechanicalssi5833]

Well done! You are absolutely right when you say that we have more important things to be concerned about. And I think that humor has always been a way that we can deal with the 'new and different'. It's what puts us at ease about life, and lets us handle it in a rational fashion. I'm Canadian, and I grew up with Indians. You have a wonderful, caring, and understanding culture. And I would rather be working with 1 Indian, than 100 hippies. You guys have a great work ethic! I just happened upon your channel, and you made such good content in this video, that I have now subbed. Keep up the good work. And I used the bell too!

[@JacobJohnson-lh4gx]

I thought your name was "The Sham Shawarma show" I need to buy prescription glasses lol.

[@ShamSharmaShow]

Damn I feel like getting some Shawarma now

[@katehartley2333]

Liked hearing your perspective, ty. I haven't watched The Simpsons in years. When I did watch back in the day though, I loved the episode when Paul Mccartney guest starred and him and his wife joined Apu and Lisa for a talk about vegetarianism and it was revealed that they had a beautiful English garden on top of the quiky-mart,lol

[@ceeqanguel]

new suscriber. This is a good show. Real man making sense of real issues. Keep up the good work.

[@programacionmacabro8574]

Pick your battles, great phrase for an awesome video.

[@SergeantFunDay]

Now that you brought up Indiana Jones, god I really missed *Amrish Puri* . He really is my hero. 13 years on and it still feels like he was just gone yesterday.

[@udaibhanpandey5360]

I still think "mere amrish puri aayenge"

[@HeathenMetalhead221]

Mola Ram was bad ass

[@constantine7382]

Damn. I could have gone all day without hearing that. I am an ass, I didn't even know he passed. Great actor, great villain. In a good way.

[@rooroo8767]

SROTU kali maaaaaaa!

[@heliumtrophy]

My own personal feeling when this first came out was that it was a legitimate concern and that it should at least open up a dialogue into how a character was portrayed, some of it was probably misguided but the heart was in the right place. I have seen the backlash that some people have had with the film and, to me, it seemed a little unsavoury. I think there was this sort of manufactured media feeling that The Simpsons had to respond to this and that when they did, it was apparently not good enough. I think the problem we have now is that a lot of people are so keen to be seen as politically correct that they're picking on everything that they seem intent on killing aspects of nearly everything. Call it the SJW, the PC Brigade or whatever, there's a danger that they either create a joyless society or things become as crude as the Peter Sellers clip you showed but in a different way. You're absolutely right that there needs to be a better planning into who and what to target but just that people shouldn't get overly excessive about it.

[@apsingh420aps]

You made quite good point.

[@kravenbludd]

You said exactly what I was thinking. I'm not Indian, but I certainly never lost sight of the parodic nature of the Simpsons. I always found Apu likable.

[@sidharth97]

Awesome just awesome finally sane voices between sjw nuts and right wing ranting!!

[@bertrandkurtrussell870]

This is by far the best take on this that I've seen. You just restored some of my faith in humanity. No joke. Good stuff.

[@cameltanker1286]

The SJW's need to learn to be a little less thin skinned. They need to remember that there is this little thing called freedom of choice. If you believe that you are being offended, then don't watch the show.

[@MountainProspector]

My main thought regarding this topic is....."Goodness Gracious Me". Other than that you have spoken well. The problem with SJW's is in their minds even if one wished to consider an alternative conclusion then that makes one a Nazi. You have correctly pointed out the the Simpsons make fun of everyone so for someone to make some shit-disturbing sensationalism is clearly only for the agenda of self promotion. I live in a rural village in Scotland and the only non-white people here is one Hindu Indian family. They are absolutely wonderful and couteous people with well behaved children. One couldn't ask for better neighbours.

[@gilbertotabares8196]

ya forgot to mention that Apu along the rest of the B-Sharps won a Grammy. and is on a first name basis with Paul McCartney. dudes a successful man beyond owning, not just running, *Owning* the Kwik-E Mart. I love Apu, he don't need this negative press.

[@MunkiZee]

Anything that doesn't fit their story is ignored as usual

[@binodmenahihu8104]

That commentary was extremely well put... Loved it and couldn't agree more...

[@bigbadbirmz53]

Hey, there's a lot of points you didn't cover well enough from an Indian perspective, here are some points I want to make: 1)Some of the biggest billionaires, most intelligent people and the most successful people are Indians. Why stereotype them only as shop owners?...what about stereotyping them as business men? - I tell you why...because white people get jealous, they cant face having a fictional character to be seen as better than them, even though in the real world its true. 2)If you never grew up as a south Asian kid in the west then you don't know how bad they got it back in the day. I knew a few Indian kids who were a minority in school get bullied so bad. Whenever they would speak the white guys would just mock there accent by speaking like Apu. They would say there Dad had a kwik e mart, when in fact he was a shop owner. They would throw stones at the shop window after school....pretty messed up. Hank Azaria knows his stereotyping of Apu contributed to racist bullying of south Asian kids at school. Apu represents the fuel for bullys to use to those Indian kids. Therefore Hank Azaria wants change to the character which is respectable. 3)Scottish, Italian and white people are not a minority faction in school and have never been racially abused to the extent south Asian kids or black kids have been for centuries. To use that as an excuse for the acceptance of Apu as a character is a poor one. 4)Stereotypes CHANGE over time. This is one of those times....Most Indians are successful businessmen, billionaires and inventors like I said earlier. However, this stereotype is never used on TV, which is problematic when most childrens first introduction to Indian people is on the Simpsons and that person has a 100kids with a thick accent and poor grasp of English. Apu does not represent the average Indian man and so is a negative insight on what south Asian people are really like. This false outlook is what leads to misconception and that leads to potential bullying. Getting rid of this character and replacing it with a more neutral/positive stereotype will contribute to a better representation of south Asian people. That is the problem with 'Apu'.

[@mickesmanymovies]

Namaste, Sham! 50/50 Indian/Swede here... I had no idea there was even a problem with Apu until that documentary came out. Like you said, they make fun of EVERYBODY. So 'The Problem With Apu' is basically the case of trying to explain the problem of one tree while standing in the middle of the forest.

[@modemmack]

Apu was/is one of the smartest characters on the show. A business owner, a family man, masters degree in programming.... Of all the characters to go after. Anybody that uses pop culture references to insult your race would still do it without Apu. They're racist. They'll figure it out. They're a clever bunch. Them and the bullies. 😂

[@colinp2238]

A very good unbiased report. Sham Sharma here in the UK we had a TV show by Indian comedians called Goodness Gracious Me where they had sketches of every Indian stereotype, two old aunties bragging (and exaggerating) about their sons, The Coopahs (Coopers) who were really Kumars but wanted to appear English and the Indian dad that claimed everything was an Indian invention. As the whole cast were Indian no-one could accuse them of racism or being negative in anyway. They just wrote material on their own observations of life.

[@saemushailstorm3135]

oh wait - the complaint came from a guy whose 'career' as 'comedian' is crap & MIGHT he be looking for media 'boost', hmm..?

[@nathat4250]

Thanks for your nuanced opinions especially for pointing out that the problems with apu do exists but we shouldn’t lose our minds and miss the bigger picture Imma subscribe cus you seem fun

[@patchworkpants]

Yep. Resa Aslan is a tool.

[@mehreen1674]

Dude I completely agree with you. People need to lighten up. Stereotypes are hilarious and Apu was a beloved character and Hank Azaria does a fantastic job voicing him. And I hope he continues to voice him.

[@Wise-owl-uq8lh]

you are pretty good at this....

[@ShamSharmaShow]

thank you, just starting to get a hang of it!

[@deaconx]

Well said man. Also, the pizza joke had me genuinely laughing so thanks for that!

[@AbhishekSingh-vc7br]

Agreed

[@beastwarsFTW]

I'm Scottish and groundskeeper Willie is one of my favorite characters of all time.

[@hellgast0]

I think it's awful when people get bullied for their different backgrounds, but it seems to me that it only matters if it's done to a brown or black person. I've been bullied because I'm half Polish, but that's not a problem because I am as white as a person can be.... so where is that white privilege?

[@Kos4Evr]

That's the thing about the apu controversy. If he isn't there then the cast isn't diverse enough. Since he is there he must be a racial stereotype. They couldn't attack the show on the basis of diversity or representation so they had to find another reason to attack the show. Why do they attack the show? It's been around 30 and is still pretty popular. If it's popular it must be attacked.

[@indirasharma7199]

good one ,keep brain intact to differentiate between good n bad

[@DoomSplitta]

Props from Australia, this is excellent my friend. There are far more substantial things to be upset about.