Kirti Kulhari Opens Up About Short Hair and Stereotypes {update}

She shared that many women messaged her, saying they were inspired by her to go for short hair. That was heartening. But at the same time, she was also surprised by the assumptions people made about her sexuality just because of her new look.

‘People Thought I Was Coming Out’

Talking about the reactions she got, Kirti recalled a particularly shocking assumption. She revealed that right after she cut her hair, people started speculating that she was about to come out as a lesbian. “I wrapped up Hisaab Barabar, went home, and chopped my hair off. The next thing I knew, I was getting comments like, ‘She’s going to come out of the closet soon.’ Just because of my haircut?” she said.

She found it amusing how people associate hair length with someone’s sexuality. “So if I have long hair, I’m straight, but the moment I cut it, I must be gay? It’s funny how people see things through their own lens,” she added.

Society’s Pressure on Women’s Looks

Kirti also touched upon the pressure that society, especially family members, puts on women when it comes to their appearance. Many women face constant opinions about how they should keep their hair, what they should wear, or even how much makeup they should apply.

Women cutting their hair short isn’t just about looks; for many, it’s about freedom and choice. But still, some people think it must have a deeper meaning, and assumptions like this are common. Kirti said she found it surprising that in today’s world, people still react in such ways to something as personal as a haircut.

Kirti’s Message for Women

Despite the bizarre reactions, Kirti remains unfazed. If anything, this experience made her more aware of the stereotypes women deal with every day. She encouraged women to do what makes them happy, whether it’s cutting their hair short, keeping it long, or anything else.

“Hair grows back. But the confidence you get when you start making choices for yourself—that stays forever,” she said.

As Hisaab Barabar releases in theaters, Kirti is focused on her work and isn’t letting these reactions bother her. She hopes conversations like these help break outdated stereotypes and allow people to see beyond appearances.