Indian Accent

Indians have always been portrayed very inappropriately in American television shows and films. The first Indian character on American TV was Apu from The Simpsons, who for three decades have not only mocked the Indian accent but also the culture. Its voice Hank Azaria received a severe backlash following which he has decided not to lend his voice to Apu anymore. Another character, Raj from The Big Bang Theory, talks in an accent which its White directors thought would be appropriate for an Indian character. The actor who plays Raj, Kunal Nayyar ,does not talk in such an accent in real life. The actor is also seen appreciating Howard, another character in the show, who mocks the Indian accent. There are also many stand-up comedians like Gabriel Iglesias who also mock the Indian accent, despite him being a Latino, another accent which is also mocked in American shows and films. It is like the mocked is mocking. I think the makers of any show or film, before introducing an Indian character, should do proper research. We Indians do not sound the way you think we sound.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur.