Indian bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman died Thursday evening, October 9, 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest during shoulder surgery at Fortis Hospital in Amritsar, India. He was 42 years old.
Ghuman had been admitted to the hospital earlier that day for treatment of shoulder pain and underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with biceps tenodesis. According to hospital officials, he had no known pre-existing medical conditions when he arrived for pre-surgical evaluation on October 6.
At approximately 3:35 p.m. during the surgery, Ghuman developed sudden cardiac arrhythmia while under general anesthesia. The hospital’s anesthesia, cardiology, cardiac anesthesia and critical care teams immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts, but despite sustained coordination, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 5:36 p.m.
Fortis Hospital released a statement expressing deep regret over the loss and extending condolences to Ghuman’s family and fans. His nephew Amanjot Singh Ghuman confirmed the death 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.
Ghuman’s cremation was held on Friday, October 10, at Model Town in Jalandhar, where politicians and artists gathered to mourn his passing. The bodybuilder had left home alone that morning, expecting to return the same day after his minor procedure.
Standing six feet two inches tall and weighing 287 pounds at his peak, Ghuman became a pioneering figure in professional bodybuilding as one of the world’s first vegetarian competitors in the sport. He won the Mr. India title in 2009 and placed second in the Mr. Asia competition that same year, marking significant achievements for Indian bodybuilding.
Ghuman made history as the first Indian to receive an International Federation of Bodybuilding pro card and remains the only Asian to have competed in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s prestigious Arnold Classic championship. Schwarzenegger later hired him as an ambassador to promote his health products throughout Asia.
Beyond bodybuilding, Ghuman built an acting career spanning more than a decade. He made his film debut in the Punjabi sports drama “Kabaddi Once Again” in 2012, followed by appearances in “Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans” in 2014 and “Marjaavaan” in 2019. His most recent role was alongside Salman Khan in “Tiger 3” in 2023, which earned approximately 52 million dollars at the box office.
Political figures and celebrities across India paid tribute to Ghuman following news of his death. Senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa expressed that hearing the news left his heart very saddened, noting how 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 Ghuman’s death as deeply painful, remembering him as a devoted vegetarian who built his body with discipline and grace. Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called Ghuman the pride of Punjab and described his death as an irreparable loss.
Ghuman’s death adds to a concerning pattern of sudden cardiac events among bodybuilders globally. Medical experts have noted an alarming rise in such cases over the past two years, often attributed to extreme training intensity, dietary supplements, dehydration and potential unmonitored steroid use.
According to research published by the European Society of Cardiology, sudden cardiac death accounts for an unusually high proportion of deaths among male bodybuilders worldwide, with professional bodybuilders facing five times the risk compared to the general population.
Neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar noted that bodybuilders who achieve extraordinary muscle mass may carry hidden cardiovascular vulnerabilities. He emphasized that extreme training and muscle bulk can increase the heart’s workload, while general anesthesia places additional stress on the heart, sometimes revealing hidden electrical instability.
Reports indicated Ghuman had been considering contesting the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections before his death. He leaves behind a legacy as a groundbreaking figure who proved that vegetarianism and professional bodybuilding could successfully coexist, inspiring fitness enthusiasts across India and Asia.
