The Indian fitness and film communities are reeling from the shocking news that actor and champion bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghuman has passed away at the age of 41. The versatile athlete, renowned as the world’s first vegetarian professional bodybuilder, reportedly suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while undergoing a minor medical procedure at a private hospital in Amritsar on Thursday evening.
Ghuman, a towering figure known for his muscular physique and recent appearance in Salman Khan‘s Tiger 3, had checked into Fortis Hospital for treatment related to a bicep or shoulder injury. Sources close to the family confirmed that the procedure was considered minor, and he expected to be discharged the same day. However, a sudden, irreversible cardiac event during the process tragically claimed his life.
According to reports from his manager, Yadvinder Singh, and his nephew, Amanjot Singh Ghuman, the athlete initially visited the hospital in Amritsar complaining of shoulder pain. This symptom, which cardiologists often cite as a potential warning sign of cardiac distress, preceded the fatal event.
Sources at the hospital indicated that Ghuman went into cardiac arrest around 5 PM, shortly after or during the minor procedure. Despite immediate and intensive efforts by the medical team to resuscitate him, they could not revive the athlete. The unexpected demise of a man who embodied peak physical fitness has sent shockwaves across social media and the entertainment industry.
Varinder Singh Ghuman carved a unique place in history long before his acting career began. He achieved fame by becoming the world’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilder, shattering the stereotype that an elite physique requires a non-vegetarian diet.
- Mr. India Champion: Ghuman won the prestigious Mr. India title in 2009.
- International Recognition: He secured the runner-up position at the Mr. Asia pageant the same year.
- ‘India’s Arnold’: His dedication and success caught the attention of international icon Arnold Schwarzenegger, who personally selected Ghuman as a brand ambassador for his fitness products in Asia, earning him the moniker ‘India’s Arnold Schwarzenegger’.
His commitment to his vegetarian lifestyle became a powerful source of inspiration for millions of aspiring athletes, proving that discipline and ethical dietary choices can lead to world-class athletic achievement.
Ghuman successfully transitioned his larger-than-life presence from the bodybuilding stage to the silver screen. He debuted as the lead actor in the 2012 Punjabi film Kabaddi Once Again.
He quickly expanded his reach into Bollywood, featuring in films such as:
- Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans (2014)
- Marjaavaan (2019)
- Tiger 3 (2023): His most recent and widely recognised role saw him share screen space with Salman Khan, further cementing his popularity nationwide.
His powerful on-screen persona complemented his motivational advocacy for fitness off-screen, where he maintained a massive social media following, regularly sharing workout videos and tips.
The tragic news prompted an immediate outpouring of condolences from political leaders, film fraternity members, and the global fitness community. Politicians, including former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, mourned the irreparable loss, paying tribute to his hard work and dedication.
Ghuman’s untimely death, however, tragically adds to a worrying trend of sudden cardiac fatalities involving seemingly healthy, elite athletes and bodybuilders. Experts are once again raising serious questions about the hidden cardiovascular risks associated with extreme training, dietary practices, and the pressure to maintain peak physical condition in the competitive world of professional bodybuilding.
His legacy remains a complex one: a pioneer who showed the world the possibilities of vegetarian strength, but whose life now serves as a grim reminder that even the fittest must constantly monitor and safeguard their heart health. Varinder Singh Ghuman leaves a gaping void in the Indian fitness landscape, an indelible mark on cinema, and a powerful lesson on the importance of medical vigilance.
