Who is Varinder Singh Ghuman?
Varinder Singh Ghuman was a celebrated Indian bodybuilder and actor, widely known as the world’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilder. He is currently trending across global news following his tragic and unexpected death due to a cardiac arrest on October 9, 2025, at the age of 42, while undergoing a minor medical procedure in Amritsar, Punjab. Ghuman rose to national fame after winning the Mr. India title in 2009 and earned global recognition when he was personally selected by Arnold Schwarzenegger to represent his health products in Asia in 2013. He successfully transitioned into an acting career, appearing in major films like the 2023 blockbuster, Tiger 3, alongside Salman Khan.
Key Information
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Varinder Singh Ghuman |
| Nickname | He-Man of India |
| Profession | Professional Bodybuilder, Actor |
| Known For | Being the world’s first vegetarian professional bodybuilder; Mr. India 2009; Bollywood and Punjabi films |
| Age | 42 years (at the time of death) |
| Date of Birth | 1983 (approx.) |
| Zodiac Sign | Not publicly confirmed |
| Years Active | Mid-2000s – 2025 |
| Hometown | Gurdaspur, Punjab, India |
| Current Residence | Jalandhar, Punjab |
| Religion | Sikh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Educational Qualification | Not publicly known |
| Hobbies | Fitness training, vegetarian diet advocacy, politics |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Name undisclosed (kept private intentionally) |
| Children | Four – Sons: Gurtejvir Singh Ghuman and Bhagwant Singh Ghuman; Daughters: Gavy Ghuman and Ekamjot Ghuman |
| Death Date / Cause | 9 October 2025 / Cardiac arrest following minor surgery |
Early Life & Education
Born in Punjab in 1983, Varinder Singh Ghuman grew up in a traditional Sikh family deeply rooted in physical discipline and sports. From a young age, he admired strength training and dreamed of representing India internationally. Despite coming from a modest background, he pushed himself into bodybuilding while strictly maintaining a vegetarian diet something that set him apart in the muscle-building community.
His educational background has not been publicly detailed, but his early mentors recognized his determination and discipline long before he achieved fame.
Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | ~130 kg (competition weight) |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Tattoos | None publicly documented |
Career Journey
Rise in Bodybuilding
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Won Mr. India (2009) and became Mr. Asia runner-up.
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Earned India’s first IFBB Pro Card, allowing him to compete globally.
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Personally selected by Arnold Schwarzenegger to represent his health brand in Asia.
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Known for being 100 % vegetarian, he proved plant-based bodybuilding was possible even at the pro level.
Acting Career
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Debuted in Punjabi cinema with Kabaddi Once Again (2012).
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Appeared in Bollywood films including Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans (2014), Marjaavaan (2019), and Tiger 3 (2023) alongside Salman Khan.
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Planned to expand his acting portfolio while maintaining his identity as a motivational fitness icon.
Others
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Owned gyms in Punjab and trained aspiring athletes.
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Publicly supported vegetarian bodybuilding and natural fitness movements.
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In 2025, hinted at entering Punjab politics to promote youth development and fitness.
Relationships & Personal Life
Varinder Singh Ghuman was married, though he kept his wife’s identity away from media attention to maintain family privacy. According to verified reports, he is survived by his wife and four children – sons Gurtejvir Singh Ghuman and Bhagwant Singh Ghuman, and daughters Gavy Ghuman and Ekamjot Ghuman.
He lived in Jalandhar, Punjab, and maintained a disciplined vegetarian lifestyle. He regularly shared insights into his plant-based nutrition and gym workouts, promoting clean living without alcohol, meat, or artificial supplements.
His final social-media post – a tribute to late Punjabi singer Rajvir Jawanda went viral after both passed away within days of each other, leaving fans deeply emotional.
Family Background
| Relation | Name / Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Bhupinder Singh – Retired ASI, former Kabaddi player |
| Mother | Harbhajan Kaur – Dead (2009) |
| Brother | Deceased younger brother (name not publicly disclosed) – Ghuman posted a tribute on April 9, 2021 |
| Sister | None publicly known |
| Spouse | Name undisclosed |
| Sons | Gurtejvir Singh Ghuman, Bhagwant Singh Ghuman |
| Daughters | Gavy Ghuman, Ekamjot Ghuman |
Viral Moments
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Heart Attack During Surgery: Passed away on 9 October 2025 in Amritsar during a minor shoulder surgery.
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Emotional Last Post: His final Instagram tribute to Rajvir Jawanda gained massive traction after both died within days.
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Health Debate: His sudden death reignited national debates about heart health and steroid risks in professional bodybuilding, though no substance abuse was proven.
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Political Ambition: Days before his death, he had asked followers whether he should contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly Elections as an independent candidate.
Net Worth
While not officially confirmed, multiple reports estimate Varinder Singh Ghuman’s net worth between ₹16 crore and ₹42 crore as of 2025.
His income came from diverse streams:
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Bodybuilding Winnings: Prize money from titles like Mr. India (2009) and Mr. Asia runner-up.
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Acting Career: Roles in films such as Tiger 3, Marjaavaan, and Kabaddi Once Again significantly boosted his earnings.
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Brand Endorsements & Sponsorships: Partnered with major fitness brands and became the Asian brand ambassador for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s health products.
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Gym Ownership: Owned a gym in Jalandhar, serving as a consistent source of revenue and local training hub.
Cause of Death
Varinder Singh Ghuman died of a cardiac arrest, also known as a heart attack, on October 9, 2025. He was 42 years old.
At the time, he was undergoing treatment for a bicep injury at a Fortis hospital in Amritsar. While the surgery itself was minor and routine, he experienced the fatal cardiac event during his treatment.
His passing, particularly while in a hospital for a minor procedure, was a shock to the fitness and film industries, sparking discussions about the risks associated with extreme athletic training and supplementation.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @veervarindersinghghuman | 1 Million | |
| varinderghumanofficial | 1.2 Million | |
| Twitter/X | Not active | NA |
| YouTube | @VarinderGhumanheman | 231K Subscribers |
Some Lesser Known Facts
Here are some lesser-known details about the life and career of Varinder Singh Ghuman:
- He was an advocate for the idea that athletic excellence and a peak physique could be achieved entirely through a plant-based diet, a belief that defined his career as the world’s first vegetarian pro bodybuilder.
- Ghuman’s career started with an interest in cricket, which he later abandoned to pursue weightlifting and bodybuilding.
- He was recognized as the “tallest bodybuilder from India” by Arnold Schwarzenegger when they met at the Arnold Classic Bodybuilding Championship in Spain.
- His family, based in Gurdaspur, Punjab, reportedly owned a dairy farm.
- Prior to his death, he was reportedly experiencing shoulder pain, which can, in some cases, be a form of referred pain indicating a cardiac issue, according to cardiologists mentioned in news reports.
- His final on-screen appearance was in the 2023 Salman Khan film Tiger 3, a major role that helped expand his popularity beyond the fitness world.
- He was revered by fans not just for his strength but for his down-to-earth nature and commitment to ethical fitness practices.
Latest Updates
At the time of his passing, Ghuman was based in Jalandhar and expanding his gym network.
He was in talks for a fitness documentary focused on vegetarian bodybuilding and planning his entry into politics for the 2027 Punjab Elections.
Following his death, tributes from Bollywood stars, sports icons, and fans flooded social media.
FAQs
Q1. What was Varinder Singh Ghuman’s age at the time of death?
A. He was 42 years old in October 2025.
Q2. Who were his parents?
A. Father – Bhupinder Singh (retired ASI, former Kabaddi player); Mother – Harbhajan Kaur (deceased 2009).
Q3. Did he have siblings?
A. Yes, a younger brother who passed away in a mishap; no known sisters.
Q4. Was Varinder Singh Ghuman married?
A. Yes. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Q5. What was Varinder Singh Ghuman’s net worth?
A. Estimated between ₹16 crore and ₹42 crore as of 2025.
Q6. What was he best known for?
A. Being the world’s first vegetarian professional bodybuilder and winner of Mr. India 2009.
Q7. Which was his last film?
A. Tiger 3 (2023) alongside Salman Khan.
Q8. What were his future plans?
A. He was planning to enter politics and launch a fitness awareness campaign in Punjab.
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