New Delhi, October 10, 2025 — Legendary Indian bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman has died at the age of 42 after suffering a heart attack while receiving treatment for a shoulder injury. According to reports, Ghuman passed away on Thursday afternoon at Fortis Escorts Hospital, where he had been admitted for medical evaluation. In a statement released by the hospital, Fortis Escorts confirmed that Ghuman was examined on October 6 for pain and restricted movement in his right shoulder. “Following clinical assessment, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with biceps tenodesis was advised. The patient had no known comorbidities,” the hospital said. However, complications arose during his treatment. “At approximately 3:35 p.m., the patient developed a sudden cardiac arrhythmia. The anaesthesia, cardiology, cardiac anaesthesia, and critical care teams immediately initiated advanced resuscitation measures,” the statement added. Despite sustained medical efforts, doctors were unable to revive him. He was declared dead at 5:36 p.m. Ghuman, who hailed from Gurdaspur, Punjab, was celebrated as one of the world’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilders. He rose to fame after winning Mr. India in 2009 and later finishing as runner-up at Mr. Asia. He went on to represent India at numerous international bodybuilding competitions. His achievements drew global attention, including from bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, who later enlisted Ghuman to promote his health products in Asia. Beyond bodybuilding, Ghuman ventured into acting, appearing in several Indian films between 2012 and 2023. His most recent appearance was in Tiger 3, where he portrayed the character “Shakeel.” His death adds to a growing list of recent tragedies in the bodybuilding world. At least six professional bodybuilders have died in the past six months. In July, Spanish bodybuilder Lorena Blanco died at age 37 of a suspected heart attack while preparing for the Ms. Olympia competition. A month earlier, Colombian athlete Zunilda Hoyos Mendez was killed in Spain in a domestic violence incident. Ghuman’s passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and fitness enthusiasts worldwide, who hailed him as a pioneer and inspiration for India’s bodybuilding community.
Indian Bodybuilding Icon Varinder Singh Ghuman Dies at 42
