Varinder Singh Ghuman, celebrated as India’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilder, passed away on October 9, 2025, at the age of 42. He suffered a sudden cardiac arrest after a routine shoulder procedure at Fortis Escorts Hospital in Amritsar, according to hospital authorities.
Fortis Escorts Hospital later confirmed that Ghuman suffered a sudden arrhythmia around 3:35 pm and was declared dead at 5:36 pm despite resuscitation efforts.
Despite being healthy with no known comorbidities, the cardiac arrest occurred during post-operative care, and he was declared dead shortly afterward. His body was later transported to Jalandhar for final rites, as friends and fans gathered to pay their respects.
Ghuman carved a unique path in bodybuilding, gaining recognition as the world’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilder.
His dedication to plant-based nutrition and rigorous training earned him the title of Mr. India in 2009 and a second-place finish at the Mr. Asia competition.
Beyond titles, he inspired countless fitness enthusiasts across India with his discipline and philosophy. He also became the first Indian to earn an IFBB Pro Card, allowing him to compete internationally, and was reportedly associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fitness brand promotions in Asia.
Transitioning from bodybuilding to acting, Ghuman made a mark in Punjabi and Hindi cinema. He appeared in films like Kabaddi Once Again (2012) and Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans (2014).
His most prominent role came in the 2023 Bollywood film Tiger 3, where he played Shakeel, a Pakistani prison guard, sharing the screen with superstar Salman Khan. He also had supporting appearances in films such as Marjaavaan (2019). His muscular physique and on-screen presence earned him admiration from both fans and colleagues.
In the months before his passing, Ghuman had expressed interest in entering public service and hinted at contesting in future Punjab Assembly elections, according to reports.
The news of Ghuman’s untimely death sent shockwaves through the entertainment and fitness industries. Salman Khan, his co-star in Tiger 3, expressed his grief, sharing memories from the film sets and offering condolences.
Fellow actors, fitness enthusiasts, and fans mourned the loss of a man who embodied physical strength and personal discipline. Tributes poured in, highlighting not only his professional accomplishments but also his humility and inspiring personality.
Just hours before his own passing, Ghuman’s final Instagram post was a tribute to Punjabi singer Rajvir Jawanda, whose death he had mourned publicly—a message that now serves as his last online remembrance.
As Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, @theliverdr explains, extreme muscle mass does not automatically indicate a healthy heart. In elite bodybuilders, the heart operates under chronic high demand, leading to hypertrophy—thickening of the heart muscle that makes it stiff and less efficient at pumping blood.
Anabolic steroid use further increases risk by causing heart and vessel damage, elevating blood pressure, and thickening the blood due to higher red blood cell production. Combined, these factors create a high-risk environment for sudden cardiac death.
However, in Ghuman’s case, there is no confirmed medical evidence linking steroid use to his death. The hospital maintained that he had no known comorbidities prior to the incident.
Was Varinder Singh Ghuman a vegetarian?
Yes, he was a lifelong vegetarian and became internationally recognized as the world’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilder, showing that plant-based nutrition can support high-level bodybuilding.
How did his plant-based diet influence his career?
Ghuman’s vegetarian diet helped him maintain lean muscle mass and peak physical condition, proving that elite athletic performance can be achieved without animal-based products.
(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)
