Dwarfism ( /ˈdwɔrfɪzəm/) is when an individual is short in stature resulting from a medical condition caused by problems that arise in the pituitary gland in which the growth of the individual is very slowed or delayed. Dwarfism is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 147 cm (58 inches), although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder. For example, in pygmy populations, a body height of less than 150 cm (59 inches) is normal.

Dwarfism can be caused by about 200 distinct medical conditions, such that the symptoms and characteristics of individual people with dwarfism vary greatly. In the United States, Canada and New Zealand, many people with dwarfism prefer to be called little people.

Disproportionate dwarfism is characterized by one or more body parts being relatively large or small in comparison to those of an average-sized adult, with growth variations in specific areas being apparent. In cases of proportionate dwarfism, the body appears normally proportioned, but is unusually small. Historically, the term midget was used to describe "proportionate dwarfs"; however, this term is now often regarded as offensive and pejorative (see terminology). Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, is common in dwarfs, but intelligence and lifespan are usually normal.

Kiran Shah (born September 28, 1956) is an actor and a stuntman.

Shah was born in Nairobi, Kenya. He lived in Kenya until he was twelve years old, when he moved to India with his family. While living in India, he became interested in films, and when his family moved to London, he became involved in the show business. His first film was the 1977 movie Candleshoe, as a stand-in for a girl called Sara Tamakuni, and when stunt coordinator Bob Anderson asked him to do her stunts as well, his career was started.

Kiran is often confused with Deep Roy; they are both dwarf Kenyan actors of Indian descent who got their starts in film and television in the late 70s.

He has been in several blockbuster movies since, such as Superman (1977), Superman II (1979), The Dark Crystal (1982), Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Legend (1985), Aliens (1986),le signe des quatre(1987),Titanic (1997), and the three The Lord of the Rings movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), where he was the scale double for Elijah Wood, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where he played the dwarf Ginarrbrik. He also portrayed an aboriginee in a Sherlock Holmes film, "The Sign of Four". A favorite movie role is when he played the monster who came out of a painting and attacked Natasha Richardson in the 1987 film Gothic.