The fitness and entertainment world mourns a tremendous loss. Varinder Singh Ghuman, celebrated bodybuilder and actor known for his role in Salman Khan’s Tiger 3, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at just 42 years old. His sudden demise from a heart attack has sent shockwaves through the Punjabi film industry and the global bodybuilding community.
Tiger 3 Varinder Singh Ghuman: At a Glance
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Varinder Singh Ghuman |
| Age at Death | 42 years |
| Date of Death | October 9, 2025 |
| Cause | Heart attack |
| Location | Fortis Hospital, Amritsar |
| Time of Death | 5:30 PM |
| Known For | India’s biggest vegetarian bodybuilder |
| Instagram Following | Over 1 million followers |
| Film Debut | Kabaddi Once Again (2012) |
The Tragic Day: What Happened
According to The Tribune, Varinder Singh Ghuman breathed his last around 5:30 PM while undergoing treatment at Fortis Hospital in Amritsar. The heart attack came suddenly, leaving family, friends, and fans in disbelief.
News of his passing spread rapidly across social media, with tributes pouring in from the Punjabi film industry, bodybuilding community, and sports personalities. Parjat Singh, former captain of the Indian Hockey Team, expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging Ghuman’s dedication to vegetarianism and disciplined lifestyle.
Breaking Stereotypes: India’s Vegetarian Bodybuilding Pioneer
What truly set Varinder apart in the bodybuilding world was his unwavering commitment to vegetarianism. In an industry where protein supplementation and meat consumption are considered essential, Ghuman proved that extraordinary physiques could be built on plant-based nutrition.
His Instagram bio proudly proclaimed him as “India’s Biggest Vegetarian Bodybuilder,” and he was highly vocal about his journey. Through countless posts and interviews, Varinder demonstrated how discipline, proper nutrition planning, and dedication could achieve results that many deemed impossible without animal products.
With over 1 million Instagram followers, he inspired a generation of fitness enthusiasts to reconsider their dietary choices. His message resonated particularly in India, where vegetarianism has deep cultural and spiritual roots. Learn more about fitness technology and health tracking innovations at TechnoSports.
A Promising Acting Career Cut Short
While bodybuilding brought him fame, Varinder successfully transitioned into acting, showcasing versatility beyond the gym.
Film Journey:
Punjabi Cinema Debut: Varinder made his entry into Punjabi films in 2012 with Kabaddi Once Again, where he played the lead role. His imposing physique and screen presence made him a natural fit for action-oriented characters.
Bollywood Ventures: His Hindi film career included notable appearances in:
- Roar: Tigers of the Sunderbans – An action-adventure where his physicality added authenticity
- Marjaavan – A commercial thriller
- Tiger 3 – Perhaps his most recognized role, where he played one of the antagonists opposite Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in this YRF Spy Universe film
Working alongside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in Tiger 3 marked a career highlight, positioning Varinder for potentially bigger opportunities that tragically never materialized.
His Final Social Media Message
Poignantly, Varinder’s last Instagram post was itself a tribute—to late actor-singer Rajvir Jawanda, who recently died in a motorcycle accident. Writing in Punjabi, he expressed condolences to the Punjabi music industry and Jawanda’s family, asking for divine strength for them.
This final post, honoring another artist taken too soon, now serves as a heartbreaking bookend to his own story.
The Heart Attack Epidemic in Fitness
Varinder’s death at 42 raises concerning questions about heart health among bodybuilders and fitness athletes. Despite maintaining what appeared to be an exceptionally healthy lifestyle—rigorous training, vegetarian diet, and disciplined routine—he succumbed to cardiac arrest.
Medical experts have increasingly highlighted risks associated with extreme bodybuilding, including:
- Cardiac hypertrophy (enlarged heart) from intense training
- Electrolyte imbalances from strict dieting
- Potential supplement-related complications
- Genetic predispositions that even healthy lifestyles can’t overcome
His death serves as a sobering reminder that external appearance doesn’t always reflect internal cardiovascular health. Discover how modern wearable technology monitors heart health at TechnoSports.
Industry Mourns a Gentle Giant
Tributes flooded social media from across industries. Fellow bodybuilders shared workout videos and memories, Punjabi actors posted throwback pictures, and fans worldwide expressed their grief.
What emerged from these tributes was a portrait of not just a physically powerful man, but someone known for kindness, humility, and genuine passion for inspiring others. Many shared stories of how Varinder took time to answer fitness questions, offer encouragement, and promote vegetarianism with patience rather than preaching.
Legacy: More Than Muscles
Varinder Singh Ghuman leaves behind a legacy that transcends bodybuilding trophies and film credits. He proved that Indian vegetarian diets, when properly structured, could fuel elite athletic performance. He inspired countless young Indians to pursue fitness seriously. He showed that bodybuilders could successfully transition to mainstream entertainment.
His 1 million Instagram followers represent individuals motivated by his journey, many of whom might never have considered serious fitness or vegetarianism without his example.
Final Thoughts
The loss of Varinder Singh Ghuman at just 42 is a stark reminder of life’s fragility. A man who dedicated himself to building strength, promoting health, and inspiring millions was taken far too soon.
As the fitness community and entertainment industry process this loss, his message about vegetarian bodybuilding, discipline, and breaking stereotypes will continue inspiring future generations. Rest in power, champion.
FAQs
Q1: Was Varinder Singh Ghuman completely vegetarian, or did he use protein supplements?
Yes, Varinder Singh Ghuman was completely vegetarian throughout his bodybuilding career, which made his achievements even more remarkable in an industry dominated by high-protein animal-based diets. While he avoided all meat, eggs, and animal products, he did utilize plant-based protein supplements derived from sources like pea protein, rice protein, and soy. He was very transparent about his supplementation, often sharing his nutrition plans on social media to help others achieve similar results. His approach combined traditional Indian vegetarian foods—lentils, paneer, nuts, and legumes—with modern plant-based supplements, proving that elite-level bodybuilding didn’t require animal products. This made him an icon for vegetarian athletes worldwide and helped debunk myths about protein requirements.
Q2: What were Varinder Singh Ghuman’s major bodybuilding achievements before entering films?
Before transitioning to acting, Varinder Singh Ghuman established himself as one of India’s premier bodybuilders with several significant achievements. He won multiple national-level bodybuilding competitions and earned the prestigious title of “India’s Biggest Vegetarian Bodybuilder,” which became his trademark identity. His competition successes helped him build a massive following in the fitness community, particularly in Punjab where bodybuilding has a strong cultural presence. Beyond competitions, Varinder’s real achievement was becoming a social media fitness influencer before the term became mainstream, amassing over 1 million Instagram followers who followed his training routines, diet plans, and motivational content. His bodybuilding success opened doors to modeling, fitness brand endorsements, and eventually his film career, making him a multifaceted personality who successfully bridged sports and entertainment.
