In a candid retrospective on the evolution of Indian cinema, veteran actor and former Miss India International Pooja Batra has opened up about the physical biases that hampered her career during the 1990s. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar India, Batra revealed that her statuesque height—often celebrated on the fashion runway—frequently became a professional liability in Bollywood, leading to the loss of several roles.

Batra, who made a striking debut opposite Anil Kapoor in the 1997 hit Virasat, recounted being warned early on that her stature would be a stumbling block. She recalled a conversation with fellow model-turned-actor Sangeeta Bijlani, who told her bluntly, "You don’t have a chance in the movies because you’re too tall." While Batra admitted the comment was upsetting, she maintained her admiration for Bijlani as a pioneer for models in cinema.

The actor explained that the industry's reluctance was often rooted in the insecurities of her male co-stars. In an era where the "hero" was expected to physically dominate the frame, leading men frequently felt intimidated by a taller female lead.

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“I always gave my all to every role that came my way, even though some heroes felt insecure because of my height,” Batra said. “It’s true that my stature cost me several film opportunities, and I ended up missing out on many good roles.

To accommodate shorter co-stars, Batra described the "absurd" technical workarounds she was forced to adopt on set. During close-up shots, she would often have to stand in a "half-split" to lower her eye level, ensuring the male lead appeared taller on screen. Costuming was also weaponised to minimise her height, with designers often opting for specific silhouettes and flat footwear to create a visual illusion of a smaller frame.

However, Batra singled out megastar Salman Khan as a rare example of confidence in a field of fragile egos. Recalling their time working together on the romantic comedy Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, she noted that Khan was entirely unbothered by the height difference.

"Salman never had a problem," Batra recalled. "He was one guy who’d be like, ‘Wear your heels, I don’t have a problem.’ He’d be confident in his own skin."

This sentiment echoes similar praise from Sushmita Sen, who previously revealed that while filming Biwi No. 1, director David Dhawan had asked her to ditch her heels. Salman Khan reportedly intervened, telling Sen: "Go and wear heels. I’ll manage my height, you manage yours."

Batra noted that while the struggle was real for her generation, it paved the way for the "tall" leading ladies of modern Bollywood, such as Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon, and Sushmita Sen. She jokingly suggested that the current crop of stars owes a debt of gratitude to the pioneers who navigated these visual biases first.

Drawing parallels with Hollywood, Batra expressed her respect for actors like Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts, who she believes faced similar uphill battles regarding their height.

Reflecting on the industry today, Batra is optimistic. She noted that shifting attitudes and advancements in filmmaking—such as the wider cinemascope formats—have made height differences a secondary concern. The focus has moved toward chemistry and performance rather than rigid height ratios.

Now married to actor Nawab Shah, Batra remains active in the industry. Beyond her iconic roles in Haseena Maan Jaayegi and Virasat, she has transitioned into production. Her latest venture, the 2024 short film Echoes of Us, produced under her banner Glow Bell Inc, marks her continued evolution from a "model-actor" to a multifaceted personality in the industry. (With inputs from Agencies)