Karan Johar on Overcoming Voice Stereotypes and Masculinity
In a candid revelation, Karan Johar, one of Bollywood’s most influential filmmakers, opened up about the personal struggles he faced growing up, including the pressure to sound more masculine. Known for his eloquent speaking style and sharp wit, Johar revealed that he was once told that his voice resembled that of a woman’s, leading him to take speech classes in an attempt to change the way he sounded. His story brings to light the societal pressures surrounding masculinity and how voice, a seemingly trivial characteristic, can have a significant impact on one’s sense of self-worth.
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The Struggles Behind the Baritone
Karan Johar’s journey toward finding his voice wasn’t without its challenges. In a recent podcast with Raj Shamani, Johar shared how a public speaking instructor once pointed out that his voice could pose a problem in society because it was too soft, too feminine. “I went to a public speaking class. After his lecture, the instructor approached me and said that my voice sounded like a woman’s, thus I would have a difficulty in society. Therefore, you need to have a baritone voice,” he recalled.
This comment, while likely meant to be constructive, had a profound impact on the filmmaker, who felt embarrassed and ashamed of his natural voice. “I was shy to tell my dad about it. I told him I was going to a computer class,” Johar recalled. For two years, without telling anyone at home, Johar attended the speech class in hopes of learning how to make his voice sound deeper, more masculine.
From Shyness to Confidence
Through the classes, Johar learned to modify his speech, focusing on developing a baritone voice. Johar said, “They not only taught me baritone, but how to walk, how to become more masculine,” discussing the rigorous training he received. But looking back, he regrets giving in to peer pressure to change. He highlights that he would have encouraged people to accept their true selves despite social pressures if he had known better.
“Today, I will never give this advice to anyone… I will say, be yourself. If you walk a certain way, or talk a certain way, be yourself… don’t change,” Johar declared, underlining the importance of staying true to one’s identity.
The Psychology Behind the Voice
Karan Johar’s experience of feeling the need to alter his voice is far from unique. According to Delnna Rrajesh, a psychotherapist and life coach, the pressure to sound “manly” affects many individuals, especially men who feel their masculinity is judged by their tone of voice. Delnna explains that such comments, like being told to speak with a “deeper” voice, are part of a larger problem where society forces men to suppress their natural vulnerability.
“Why do you sound like a girl?” and “What’s wrong with your voice?” are comments many boys hear early on. These seemingly innocent remarks carry deep, damaging implications about what it means to be masculine, shaping the way young men view themselves and their emotional expressions. Delnna goes on to explain that the problem isn’t just the voice—it’s the societal expectation that men need to perform a certain version of masculinity, which often means louder, deeper, and tougher.
The Hidden Costs of Voice-Related Stereotypes
The pressure to conform to a certain “ideal” voice, however, goes beyond just vocal tones. It also impacts emotional well-being. Men who feel the need to adjust their voice often end up suppressing their emotions, with consequences for mental health. They may withhold tears, avoid admitting fear, and repress their vulnerability. This can lead to significant mental health challenges, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, as men are taught to hide their true selves.
“This is psychological violence,” says Delnna. “It helps men detach themselves from their own voice, rhythm, and truth.”
The underlying issue lies in the glorification of the “baritone” voice and the association of strength with vocal depth. The real strength, according to Delnna, comes from embracing one’s true voice—whether soft, deep, or otherwise—and refusing to conform to societal norms that dictate how men should sound.
Breaking Free from Societal Expectations
Karan Johar’s revelation offers a vital lesson in self-acceptance. He emphasizes the need to break free from the shackles of societal expectations and embrace authenticity. “The real strength is when a man uses his own voice, in his own way, with his own truth, even when the world wants him to change it,” he adds.
By sharing his story, Johar is encouraging others to reject harmful stereotypes that limit emotional expression and authenticity. It’s a call to stop glorifying certain aspects of masculinity, such as the deep baritone, and instead value the content of one’s character and the courage to be vulnerable.
The Takeaway: Be Yourself, Speak Your Truth
The journey Karan Johar took to find his voice highlights a critical issue: the ways in which society pressures individuals to conform to narrowly defined gender norms. The next time someone tells you to “man up” or “sound more masculine,” remember that your voice is an expression of who you are, not a measure of your worth.