The Punjab bodybuilding community was left in shock on Thursday after the sudden demise of Varinder Singh Ghuman, one of Punjab’s most prominent bodybuilders and India’s first vegetarian professional athlete in the sport. The 53-year-old reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment for a shoulder injury at a private hospital in Amritsar.
According to sources close to the family, Ghuman had been admitted to the hospital a few days ago due to pain and inflammation in his shoulder. While being treated, his condition allegedly deteriorated rapidly following an injection administered during the course of treatment. Family members have alleged that the dose may have triggered a cardiac arrest, resulting in his untimely death.
Though doctors have attributed the death to natural cardiac complications, the family has demanded a thorough inquiry into the sequence of events leading up to the incident.
Known for his towering physique, discipline, and gentle demeanour off stage, Varinder Ghuman was more than just a name in Indian bodybuilding circles—he was a symbol of dedication and perseverance. A native of Jalandhar, Ghuman rose to prominence after winning the Mr. India title in 2009 and later securing a position at the Mr. Asia championships. His vegetarian diet and advocacy for natural bodybuilding made him a unique figure in a field often associated with heavy supplementation.
Ghuman’s fame wasn’t confined to the stage. His imposing frame and charismatic personality led him to the world of cinema, where he featured in Punjabi films likeKabaddi Once Again and Bollywood’s Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans. He also gained international attention after being signed by bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger to promote his health supplement brand in India—a milestone that made him one of the few Indian athletes to represent an international bodybuilding icon.
In recent years, Ghuman had reportedly been exploring opportunities beyond sports, with talks of possible political involvement surfacing earlier this year. His social media posts often reflected his desire to “inspire the youth of Punjab towards fitness and discipline.”
Tributes have poured in from across the fitness and film fraternities. Fans and fellow athletes have described his passing as a “huge loss to Indian bodybuilding.” Many took to social media to share their condolences, remembering him as a “gentle giant” who remained humble despite his towering stature and global fame.
Ghuman’s last social media post, shared just a day before his death, has now taken on a haunting significance. On Wednesday, he had written “RIP brother” while offering condolences to Punjabi singer Rajvir Jawanda's family.
Many wrote that it was “unbelievable and heartbreaking” to see the bodybuilder who was mourning someone else’s loss yesterday now being mourned himself today.