Indian bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman died at age 42 on Thursday, October 10, after suffering cardiac arrest during shoulder surgery at Fortis Hospital in Amritsar, India. The professional bodybuilder, who stood 6-foot-2 and once weighed 287 pounds, had been admitted to the hospital for treatment of shoulder pain and restricted movement in his right shoulder.
According to the hospital’s official statement, Ghuman developed sudden cardiac arrhythmia at approximately 3:35 PM while undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with biceps tenodesis under general anesthesia. The anaesthesia, cardiology, cardiac anaesthesia, and critical care teams immediately initiated advanced resuscitation measures, but despite sustained and coordinated efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 5:36 PM.
Ghuman’s nephew Amanjot Singh Ghuman confirmed the news to reporters, while fellow bodybuilder Harminder Dullowal indicated that Ghuman had suffered a muscle rupture in his chest area before traveling to Amritsar for treatment. The hospital stated that the patient had no known comorbidities prior to the surgery.
Born in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, Ghuman made history as the first Indian to earn an International Federation of Bodybuilding professional card and became one of the world’s first vegetarian professional bodybuilders. He won the Mr. India title in 2009 and placed second in the Mr. Asia competition the same year. His achievements caught the attention of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who hired him as an ambassador to promote health products in Asia.
Ghuman also competed in Schwarzenegger’s prestigious Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition, remaining the only Asian to have participated in the event. Known for maintaining a strict vegetarian diet throughout his career, he became one of India’s most recognizable fitness figures, often nicknamed “the vegetarian bodybuilder.”
Beyond bodybuilding, Ghuman pursued an acting career spanning over a decade. He made his debut in the 2012 Punjabi sports drama “Kabaddi Once Again” before appearing in Hindi films including “Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans” in 2014 and “Marjaavaan” in 2019. His most recent appearance was alongside Salman Khan in “Tiger 3” in 2023, where he played the role of Shakeel. The film brought in approximately 52 million dollars at the box office.
Political and sports figures across India paid tribute following news of his death. Senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa expressed that the news left his heart very saddened, noting that Ghuman illuminated Punjab’s name across the world through his hard work, discipline, and ability. Former Indian hockey team captain Pargat Singh described learning of the bodybuilder’s death as deeply painful, emphasizing that Ghuman “built his body with discipline and grace.”
Ghuman’s cremation took place on Friday, October 11, at Model Town in Jalandhar, where his family is based. Politicians and artists were among those gathered to mourn his death, according to Indian news agencies.
His death adds to a concerning pattern in the bodybuilding community. The Daily Mail reported that at least six other bodybuilders have died in the past six months, including Spanish bodybuilder Lorena Blanco, 37, who died of a suspected heart attack in July while preparing for Ms. Olympia competition in Las Vegas.
Medical experts have raised concerns about sudden cardiac death among bodybuilders. Research published by the European Society of Cardiology revealed that sudden cardiac death is responsible for an unusually high proportion of deaths in male bodybuilders worldwide, with professional bodybuilders facing five times the risk compared to the general population.
Neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar from India explained that bodybuilders who achieve extraordinary muscle mass may carry hidden vulnerabilities in the heart. He identified several contributing factors including potential anabolic steroid use, extreme training that increases heart workload, and the additional stress that general anesthesia places on the cardiovascular system.
According to reports, Ghuman had been considering contesting the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called Ghuman “the pride of Punjab,” describing his death as an irreparable loss to the state and the bodybuilding community.
