Former Indian bodybuilding champion and Punjabi actor Varinder Singh Ghuman died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Amritsar on Thursday evening. He was 42.
Ghuman suffered a cardiac arrest during a shoulder surgery and could not be revived. He had suffered a muscle rupture in the chest.
Known for his Herculean physique and charismatic screen presence, Ghuman has left an indelible mark both on stage and on screen. From winning the Mr India title in 2009 to representing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s brand in Asia, he became a trailblazer in fitness and entertainment, inspiring scores of fans.
After clinching the Mr India title in 2009 and securing the runner-up spot in the Mr Asia contest, he became the first Indian bodybuilder to earn an International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) Pro Card, marking India’s entry into the global professional bodybuilding circuit. A heavyweight champion, he used to contest in the 120 kg-plus category.
His talent and dedication also caught the attention of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who chose him in 2013 to promote his health products across Asia. Ghuman is still the only Asian to have participated in Arnold Schwarzennegger's top international bodybuilding contest, Arnold Classic.
Foraying into the world of Punjabi cinema, Ghuman made his film debut with the Punjabi movie “Kabaddi Once More” in 2012. He also appeared in Bollywood films like “Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans” (2014) and “Marjaavaan” (2019), besides sharing screen space with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in “Tiger 3”.
Son of an assistant sub-inspector of the Punjab Police who originally hailed from Gurdaspur, Ghuman had settled in Jalandhar, where he underwent training under his coach Randhir Hastir and also ran a gym.
Also read: Rajvir Jawanda passes away: Political leaders, celebs, fans mourn
Follow us
