The Simpsons addressed the controversy in a 2018 episode, in which Lisa says: "Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?"
She then looks over at a framed picture of Apu, which has the line "Don't have a cow!" written on it.
Series creator Matt Groening also spoke about the issue in an interview in which he said "I'm proud of what we do on the show. And I think it's a time in our culture where people love to pretend they're offended".
After the film's release, Azaria said he would be willing to stop playing the character.
"I think the most important thing is to listen to Indian people and their experience with it," he said at the time.
"I really want to see Indian, South Asian writers in the writers room ... including how [Apu] is voiced or not voiced. I'm perfectly willing to step aside. It just feels like the right thing to do to me.
"The idea that anyone young or old, past or present, being bullied based on Apu really makes me sad," he continued.
"It certainly was not my intention. I wanted to bring joy and laughter to people."