'The Simpsons' showrunner refutes reports of Apu's exit

"The Simpsons" showrunner Al Jean rubbished reports of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon being written off from the show amid the much-heated debate over the character's stereotypical portrayal.

Last week, producer and "Castlevania" animator Adi Shankar told IndieWire that the show is planning to "drop the Apu character altogether".

Shankar, who is not attached to "The Simpsons, clarified that he received the news from two people who work for the show and a third source who works directly with creator Matt Groening.

Jean discredited the news saying Shankar was "not a producer" on the show.

"I wish him the very best but he does not speak for our show," he wrote on Twitter.

The writer also went on to deny another report which claimed that the character "is being deported from Springfield".

In his reply, Jean tweeted, "@NRO the story is untrue."