Indian bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman died at age 42 on Thursday, October 10, 2024, after suffering cardiac arrest during shoulder surgery at Fortis Hospital in Amritsar, India. The renowned fitness icon, who stood 6-foot-2 and once weighed 287 pounds, had traveled from his home in Jalandhar expecting to return the same day after a routine procedure.
According to hospital officials, Ghuman was evaluated on October 6 for pain and restricted movement in his right shoulder. Following clinical assessment, doctors advised arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with biceps tenodesis. The patient had no known comorbidities prior to the surgery.
At approximately 3:35 PM during the procedure, Ghuman developed sudden cardiac arrhythmia while under general anesthesia. The anesthesia, cardiology, cardiac anesthesia, and critical care teams immediately initiated advanced resuscitation measures. Despite sustained and coordinated efforts lasting over two hours, medical staff could not revive him. He was declared dead at 5:36 PM.
Fortis Hospital released a statement expressing deep regret over the unfortunate loss and extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and numerous fans. The hospital emphasized that the surgery itself had been uneventful before the cardiac emergency occurred.
Fellow bodybuilder Harminder Dullowal told The Tribune that Ghuman had been hospitalized after rupturing a muscle in his chest area. Other reports indicated he had been dealing with shoulder pain before admission. His nephew Amanjot Singh Ghuman confirmed the death to reporters.
Ghuman achieved significant recognition in India’s bodybuilding circuit, winning the Mr. India title in 2009 and placing second in the Mr. Asia competition the same year. He made history as the first Indian to earn an International Federation of Bodybuilding pro card and was the only Asian to compete in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s prestigious Arnold Classic championship.
Schwarzenegger later hired Ghuman to promote his health products throughout Asia, recognizing his dedication to bodybuilding. Known for maintaining a strict vegetarian diet throughout his career, Ghuman earned recognition as one of the world’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilders, often nicknamed “the vegetarian bodybuilder.”
Beyond bodybuilding, Ghuman built an acting career spanning over a decade. He made his debut in the 2012 Punjabi sports drama “Kabaddi Once Again,” 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 at the box office.
Ghuman’s cremation took place at Model Town in Jalandhar on Friday, October 11, where politicians, artists, and mourners gathered to pay their respects. Reports indicate he had been considering contesting the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Tributes poured in from across India’s political and entertainment communities. Senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa expressed that hearing the news of Ghuman’s sudden death left his heart very saddened. He noted that through hard work, discipline, and ability, Ghuman had illuminated Punjab’s name across the world.
Former Indian hockey team captain Pargat Singh described the news as deeply painful, emphasizing that Ghuman “was a devoted vegetarian, built his body with discipline and grace.” Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called Ghuman the pride of Punjab, describing his death as an irreparable loss.
Ghuman’s death occurs amid concerning trends in the bodybuilding community. Medical experts have noted an alarming rise in sudden cardiac events among bodybuilders globally over recent years. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a prominent neurologist, indicated that bodybuilders who achieve extraordinary muscle mass may carry hidden vulnerabilities in the heart, particularly those involved in extreme training regimens.
Research published by the European Society of Cardiology reveals 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. Contributing factors may include extreme training intensity, potential steroid use, and the additional stress that general anesthesia places on the cardiovascular system.
