Pooja Batra Recalls Losing ‘Good Roles’ Owing To Her Height; Tells ‘Tall Actresses’ Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon, “I Paved The Way, Say Thank You”

Pooja Batra recently reflected on the challenges of being a tall woman in Bollywood, revealing how her height often cost her film opportunities. From being advised that she was too tall for Hindi cinema to adjusting her posture on camera to make male co-stars appear taller, the actress shared candid memories from her journey in the industry. Scroll down to read more.

Pooja Batra Recalls Sangeeta Bijlani’s Warning On Her Height Being A Hurdle In Films

Reflecting on her early days in the industry, Pooja Batra revealed that Sangeeta Bijlani once warned her that her height could become a hurdle in Bollywood. “It was tough. I remember I was told by Sangeeta Bijlani, ‘You don’t have a chance in the movies because you’re too tall,’” she shared during a conversation with Harper’s Bazaar India. Although the remark upset her at the time, Pooja admitted she still admired Sangeeta deeply. “She’s my idol. She’s beautiful, and she’s a model too,” she said.

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The actress confessed that her height cost her several opportunities in the industry despite putting her best foot forward in every role. “I gave every role I got my best, even though the heroes got intimidated because of my stature. It’s true I didn’t book a lot of movies because of my height. I lost out on a lot of good roles,” she admitted. Laughing about how times have changed, Pooja said actresses like her and Sangeeta paved the way for taller leading ladies in Bollywood. “They should say, ‘Thank you,’” she joked, referring to tall Bollywood actresses like Sushmita Sen, Deepika Padukone, and Kriti Sanon.

Pooja Batra Recalls Doing Half Splits Due To Her Height

Pooja, who made her Bollywood debut with Virasat opposite Anil Kapoor, also recalled the unusual adjustments made during shoots to make male actors appear taller. She revealed that she often performed half-splits during close-up shots to reduce the visible height difference. She even wore coordinated costumes in certain films to appear shorter on screen. Drawing parallels with Hollywood, Pooja praised actresses such as Naomi Watts and Charlize Theron for navigating similar challenges. “Even in Hollywood, I respect all these tall actresses like Naomi Watts and Charlize Theron. I know how hard it’s for a woman to make it despite the height,” she added.

Among her co-stars, Pooja said Salman Khan was the only actor who never appeared insecure about her height. Recalling their time together in Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, she said, “Salman never had a problem. 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.”

When Salman Khan Asked Sushmita Sen To Wear Heels Without Worrying About Height

Interestingly, Sushmita Sen had also shared a similar experience while shooting Biwi No. 1 with Salman. During an interview with Mashable in 2024, she revealed how Salman encouraged her to wear heels despite concerns raised on set. “When David would say on the sets of Biwi No, ‘Sush, don’t wear heels’, I would come in flats like, ‘Okay, no problem’. And Salman would say, ‘That’s a nice outfit, but why are you wearing those chappals?’ I would say, ‘Because you are short, I can’t wear heels,’ so he burst out laughing and said, ‘Go and wear heels. I’ll manage my height, you manage yours’. So, I thought that was very progressive. It is something about Salman I have always enjoyed and loved,” she had said.

Pooja also pointed out how the industry has evolved over the years, crediting both changing attitudes and technical advancements in filmmaking. According to her, modern cinemascope formats naturally alter visual proportions, making height differences less noticeable today.

The actress further shared that she often preferred wearing her own wardrobe in films to better suit her styling sense while also helping manage how she appeared on screen. She recalled directors frequently asking her to tone down her makeup for a more natural look. “I was like, at least sunblock toh lagane do,” she laughed.

About Pooja Batra’s Professional Life

Pooja Batra is a well-known Indian actress, former beauty queen, and model. Batra rose to fame after winning the Femina Miss India International 1993 title. She became one of the leading faces of Bollywood during the late 1990s with memorable performances in films like Virasat and Haseena Maan Jaayegi. Beyond Indian cinema, Pooja also explored Hollywood ventures and stepped into film production. Most recently, she appeared in Squad and produced the 2024 short film Echoes of Us under her production banner, Glow Bell Inc.

Pooja’s Married Life

Pooja Batra is presently married to actor Nawab Shah. The couple got married on July 4, 2019, in an intimate wedding ceremony held in Delhi after dating for a brief period. Before this, Pooja was married to California-based orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sonu S. Ahluwalia. Their marriage lasted from 2003 until their divorce in 2011.

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Sonali Singh

Sonali Singh watches films like it’s a job (and honestly, it kind of is). Currently pursuing her Master’s in Communication and Journalism, she lives somewhere between deadlines and movie scenes. If it’s Bollywood, she’s already invested—films, drama, and all the gossip included. When she’s not writing, she’s either dancing her heart out like no one’s watching or trying to mimic people, proving that not all talents are meant to be discovered.