Whenever anyone in The Simpsons needs to get something, they can always rely on Apu and the Kwik-E-Mart. Apu’s convenience store has everything from donuts to Squishees. Though the Kwik-E-Mart could be considered Apu’s crown achievement, he’s also recognized for much more in the series.

Having grown up in India, Apu has a rich history and knowledge of the outside world. Not only that, but there are several facts about him that wouldn’t be known if fans skipped some episodes. There’s so much to know about Apu aside from the Kwik-E-Mart, and here are 10 of those things.

10 He Owns A Halloween Store

Aside from the Kwik-E-Mart, Apu owns a Halloween store. It appears in the episode “Halloween of Horror” and is called the Official Halloween Headquarters. Inside, Apu calls himself “A-Boo” and he decorates the store with costumes and fake bats.

Apu is dedicated to running the Official Halloween Headquarters. It would be interesting to imagine what other stores Apu might have based on certain holidays.

9 He’s A Good Singer

Apu isn’t only good at managing a convenience store, but he’s also an excellent singer. In the episode “Homer’s Barbershop Quartet,” it’s revealed that Apu was in a band with Homer, Principal Skinner, and Chief Wiggum.

The group was famous all over Springfield, and although they don’t play anymore, they still contributed to the music world.

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8 He Has A Wife

One reason Apu works at the Kwik-E-Mart is so he can provide for his family. Apu met his wife, Manjula, in India. They later got married because it was arranged. Their relationship was rocky from the start, as Apu tried to get out of the arranged marriage.

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There have also been times when Apu’s been with people aside from Manjula, like Marge’s sister, Selma. Though Apu’s cheated on her, and he may neglect her for the Kwik-E-Mart occasionally, he chooses to remain by her side at the end of the day. Their marriage is a complicated one filled with love and issues.

7 He Has Eight Kids

While Apu and Manjula have a rocky relationship, they make it work for their eight kids. Their kids’ names are Uma, Pria, Gheet, Anoop, Sashi, Nabendu, Poonam, and Sandeep. They’re octuplets, and they were born because Apu and Manjula took fertility drugs.

The kids appear sometimes in the series, and they’re even in the intro, as Bart skates by them. Apu helps them out by taking care of them and doing activities with them, though he can be reluctant.

6 He Has Two Brothers

Throughout The Simpsons, it’s revealed that Apu has two brothers. One of them, Tikku, died before the start of the show. Apu doesn’t talk about him much, but when he does, it’s shown that he feels sadness and regret about him.

Apu’s younger brother, Sanjay, appears regularly throughout the show. He has a son and a daughter, which makes Apu an uncle. He also sometimes helps Apu manage the Kwik-E-Mart. Apu and Sanjay may not agree on everything all the time, but it’s clear that they love each other.

5 He’s In A LEGO Set

There have only been a handful of LEGO sets made for The Simpsons. One was of the Simpson family house and featured all of the main family. The other was of the Kwik-E-Mart and featured several characters from the show, including Apu.

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Both the inside and outside of the Kwik-E-Mart are represented in full LEGO form. Unfortunately, the set’s been discontinued, but fans lucky enough to get it will always have a LEGO Apu.

4 He Appears In The Video Games

There have been many video games based on The Simpsons. Apu’s appeared in a good amount of them, such as The Simpsons Game, The Simpsons: Tapped Out, and The Simpsons Road Rage. He’s even playable in arguably the most popular game, The Simpsons: Hit & Run.

In the game, Apu helps the Simpsons uncover the mystery of a strange new drink in Springfield. Apu is the only playable character in the game who is not part of the Simpsons family. To see him put in such a spotlight is refreshing for fans of the character.

3 He’s A Legal American

In the episode “Much Apu About Nothing,” it’s revealed that Apu was living in Springfield with an expired student visa. To keep him from getting deported, Homer and Lisa help him study America’s history so he can pass the citizenship test.

Homer ends up unintentionally giving Apu misinformation about America. Fortunately, Lisa’s there to put him on the right track, and he passes the test. It shows how much Apu means to the family that they’re willing to help him stay in America.

2 There’s A Documentary About Him

In spite of some fans resonating with Apu, others have considered him to be a harmful stereotype. Because of this, a documentary called The Problem with Apu was made, which deconstructs his character.

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The host, Hari Kondabolu (who is also Indian American), describes how Apu’s depiction isn’t accurate to their culture. While Apu is meant to be a funny caricature, it’s understandable how he could come across as offensive.

1 Hank Azaria Played Him

However, following The Problem with Apu and the rising controversy behind the character, Azaria announced that he will no longer voice Apu. Apu will still remain on the show, but somebody else will begin to play him. Apu’s classic voice is a part of who he is, so it may take time for fans to get adjusted to the new change.

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About The Author


Bryce Johnson
(49 Articles Published)

Bryce Johnson is a writer, cartoonist, and a list writer at ScreenRant. He grew up with shows such as SpongeBob and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and hopes to one day work on an animated show. When he is not writing for ScreenRant, he can usually be found drawing comics or playing video games.

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