As Aamir Khan opens up about height insecurity, Indian men share thoughts on height, self-worth, and redefining masculinity

The impact of height bias extends beyond personal spaces into professional realms. Mohd Shamim Ansari, 31, a PR Manager, recalls becoming his school’s Head Boy in 10th grade. “At just 5’2’’, I defied expectations. It taught me that leadership is about responsibility and charisma, not stature.”

Hrithik Sahu, 24, too, spoke about the subtle ways height bias manifests in professional settings. “During meetings or brainstorming sessions, I often felt the need to speak louder or assert myself more just to be noticed.” He also recalled a particularly telling incident: “During a team restructuring, my manager overlooked me for a leadership role and chose someone who appeared more ‘commanding’ — a tall, well-built man.”

The dating scene presents its own set of challenges. Sanchit Sharma, a PR executive at Mediatronics PR, said, “A match from a dating app told me in person they assumed I’d be taller. That hurt.” Over time, he learned that “what truly matters in relationships goes beyond appearances.”

The media’s portrayal of masculinity adds another layer to these challenges. “The ideal superhero is always this tall, unfazed man, super-intelligent and physically intimidating,” Mohanchandra said, adding that he finds the “‘boys don’t cry and need to be tough all the time” narrative even more damaging than height stereotypes.

Hrithik Sahu, 24, spoke about the subtle ways height bias manifests in professional settings. (Source: Hrithik Sahu)

Research and psychological Impact

According to CNN, a 2020 study published in The Lancet medical journal found that “of the countries examined, China saw the largest male height increase between 1985 and 2019.” Meanwhile, Indian men have experienced only a slight increase in height over the same period, prompting questions about the factors that might be limiting growth in India.

In an earlier conversation with indianexpress.com, Dr Jagadish Hiremath shed light on the factors contributing to India’s marginal height increases. “While India has seen economic growth, challenges such as malnutrition, inequitable healthcare access, and poverty remain barriers to significant height increases. Malnutrition continues to affect over 30 per cent of Indian children, limiting their full growth potential compared to their Chinese counterparts,” he said.

A 2024 study in Sex Roles explored the psychological pressures tied to physical characteristics, stating, “These results suggest that men higher in some stereotypically masculine gender role characteristics have an elevated need to achieve socially desirable masculine physical characteristics, and do so to such a degree that they are prone to distorting this important aspect of their body size.”

The psychological implications of height were also highlighted in a 2009 study published in Economics & Human Biology. Researchers found “fairly robust evidence that taller adolescent males fare slightly better than their shorter counterparts in terms of psychological well-being.”

What mental health professionals say

Mental health professionals stressed that these experiences are far from isolated incidents. “Societal expectations often tie masculinity to physical stature, leaving shorter men vulnerable to feelings of inadequacy,” said Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room. These biases can manifest in various ways, from “heightened self-consciousness and social withdrawal to even overcompensation through aggressive behaviour,” according to her.

“At just 5’2’’, I defied expectations. It taught me that leadership is about responsibility and charisma, not stature,” said Mohd Shamim Ansari (Source: Mohd Shamim Ansari)

Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist at Cadabams Hospitals, pointed to research highlighting the concrete psychological effects of what experts term “heightism”. “Research published in Psychological Science highlights that shorter men may experience diminished self-esteem, social anxiety, and even higher rates of depressive symptoms due to perceptions that height correlates with dominance, leadership, and attractiveness,” she said.

Building resilience, changing perceptions, and finding success

For those struggling with height-related anxiety, professionals recommended several practical strategies. Khangarot suggested specific breathing techniques: “Deep breathing, such as the Box Breathing Method—inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds—helps relax the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing fight-or-flight response.”

Cadabam listed more approaches for building resilience:

• Body neutrality practices: Focus on what your body enables you to do rather than how it looks.
• Role model identification: Draw inspiration from successful figures who’ve thrived despite societal stereotypes.
• Mindfulness exercises: Regular practice of self-soothing and reassuring techniques.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy: Address distorted thinking patterns linked to insecurity.

The men we spoke to have also developed their own strategies for navigating these biases. Ansari believes authenticity is key: “I’ve learned that being humble, kind, knowledgeable, and persistent can help you rise above any societal expectations or insecurities. Your actions and dedication define you far more than any physical trait ever could.”

For Aditya Mohanchandra, 38, these insecurities manifested early in his sporting career. (Source: Aditya Mohanchandra)

Sahu found power in humour and self-acceptance. “I started focusing on improving my communication skills, dressing sharply, and cultivating a sense of humour, because, of course, I consider my humour as my superpower,” he said, adding, “Stand-up comedy has played a big role in this journey. Watching comedians normalise the weirdest insecurities, including things like height, made me feel less alone and taught me to laugh at myself.”

Both experts stressed the need to challenge societal definitions of masculinity. “Shifting cultural narratives to prioritise qualities like empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence is crucial,” according to Cadabam. She also said, “Embracing diverse definitions of masculinity can reduce mental health challenges linked to societal expectations.”

“Normalising vulnerability can inspire men to value themselves beyond societal yardsticks,” Khangarot said, echoing Aamir Khan’s own realisation that success and self-worth stem from character and contribution, not physical stature.