The entertainment and fitness industries are in shock and grief over the sudden death of Punjabi actor and professional bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghuman.
Congress leader Pargat Singh recalled Ghuman as an inspiration to many young people and a ray of hope as condolences continue to pour in from all over the nation.
Speaking to reporters in Jalandhar, he expressed his grief, calling the actor’s passing “a very big loss for Punjab.”
In an emotional statement, Pargat Singh, who knew Varinder personally, said in Punjabi, “He was a lovely boy, vegetarian and would always support sports and was a role model. He was from my constituency as well. He was making a house also in my village. He was a very positive person. He was a role model for youngsters and his death is a huge loss for us. We had not even overcome with the loss of Rajvir Jawanda and now his death. We came to know about it last night.”
#WATCH | Jalandhar, Punjab: On the demise of Punjabi actor and bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghuman, Congress leader Pargat Singh says, "He was a very good person and role model for youngsters... It is a very big loss for the Punjab..." pic.twitter.com/myMpcXRS9a— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2025
Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also mounred his loss. Taking to X, the BJP leader wrote, "Passing away of the pride of Punjab, 'the He-Man of India', Varinder Ghuman ji, is an irreparable loss for the country. He set new standards in the world of fitness with his hard work and vegetarian lifestyle. His life will always be a source of inspiration for the youth."
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਾਨ, 'ਦ ਹੀ-ਮੈਨ ਆਫ਼ ਇੰਡੀਆ' Varinder Ghuman ਜੀ ਦਾ ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਤੋਂ ਚਲੇ ਜਾਣਾ ਦੇਸ਼ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਅਪੂਰਣ ਘਾਟਾ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਕਾਹਾਰੀ ਜੀਵਨ ਸ਼ੈਲੀ ਨਾਲ ਫਿਟਨੈਸ ਦੀ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਵੇਂ ਮਾਪਦੰਡ ਸਥਾਪਿਤ ਕੀਤੇ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਸਦਾ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਲਈ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਨਾ ਸਰੋਤ ਰਹੇਗਾ। ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਚਰਨਾਂ… pic.twitter.com/9E5MBpZJ80— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) October 9, 2025
Congress MP and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa wrote on X, "It is heartbreaking to hear the news of the sudden demise of Punjab's famous bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman. He brought glory to Punjab with his hard work, discipline, and talent. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family to bear this loss,"
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਮਸ਼ਹੂਰ ਬਾਡੀਬਿਲਡਰ ਤੇ ਅਦਾਕਾਰ ਵਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਘੁੰਮਣ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਅਚਾਨਕ ਦੇਹਾਂਤ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਬਰ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਦਿਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੁਖੀ ਹੈ।ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਮਿਹਨਤ, ਅਨੁਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਤੇ ਕਾਬਲੀਅਤ ਨਾਲ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਭਰ ‘ਚ ਰੌਸ਼ਨ ਕੀਤਾ।
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਆਤਮਾ ਨੂੰ ਚਰਣਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਣ ਤੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਦੁਖਦਾਇਕ ਭਾਣਾ… pic.twitter.com/ZVQHUNWVf6
— Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa (@Sukhjinder_INC) October 9, 2025
The 47-year-old, known for his towering physique, humility, and vegetarian lifestyle, passed away on Thursday following a cardiac arrest.
Varinder Singh Ghuman, who was born in Gurdaspur, Punjab, achieved fame through unwavering passion and perseverance. He swiftly became well-known as one of India's most reputable bodybuilders after winning Mr. India in 2009 and placing second at Mr. Asia.
As the first vegetarian professional bodybuilder in history, his extraordinary journey elevated him to a position of compassion and discipline within the fitness industry.
Ghuman's accomplishments went beyond bodybuilding. He moved into the movie business and gained fame for his roles in Kabaddi Once Again (2012), Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans (2014), Marjaavaan (2019), and most recently, Tiger 3 (2023), in which he costarred with Salman Khan.
Varinder's family claims that he went to a private hospital in Amritsar to have shoulder pain examined after complaining of it earlier in the day. Unfortunately, he was unable to be revived after suffering a cardiac arrest at approximately 5 p.m.
His manager, Yadvinder Singh, revealed that what started out as minor discomfort quickly turned disastrous, while his nephew, Amanjot Singh Ghuman, confirmed the tragic news.
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