Salman Khan Leads Tributes After Bodybuilder-Actor Varinder Singh Ghuman’s Sudden Death
Actor Varinder Singh Ghuman, known for Tiger 3 and Dabangg, died of cardiac arrest in Amritsar.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan mourned the untimely passing of actor and bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghuman, sharing a heartfelt message on X alongside a throwback photo from the sets of Dabangg. Ghuman, known for his towering physique and roles in Hindi and Punjabi cinema, died on October 10 after a heart attack in Amritsar, leaving the industry in shock. Khan, who collaborated with him in the 2023 action thriller Tiger 3, wrote, "Rest In Peace, Pra. Will Miss You, Paaji," referring to Ghuman's affectionate nicknames within their circle. The post, featuring Khan in his iconic Chulbul Pandey cop uniform next to Ghuman, quickly amassed thousands of views and condolences from fans.
Ghuman, aged 45 and hailed as India's pioneering vegetarian bodybuilder, collapsed from shoulder pain at his Amritsar residence and was rushed to a private hospital, where he suffered cardiac arrest, according to his manager, Yadvinder Singh. His nephew, Amanjyot Singh Ghuman, confirmed the news to media in Jalandhar. A fitness icon, Ghuman clinched the Mr. India title in 2009 and was runner-up in the Mr. Asia contest that year, blending his athletic prowess with acting.
His filmography includes the environmental adventure Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans (2014), the Punjabi sports drama Kabaddi Once Again (2012), and a pivotal role in Tiger 3, where he shared intense action sequences with Khan. Tributes flooded in from across Bollywood and politics, with Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu describing him as "the pride of Punjab" and lamenting the "irreparable loss" to the nation.
The duo's bond extended beyond the screen, rooted in mutual respect for Punjab's spirit. During the devastating floods that ravaged Punjab in July and August 2025—displacing over 200,000 people and causing widespread agricultural damage—Khan leveraged his platform to spotlight the crisis. Through his Being Human Foundation, he coordinated relief efforts, distributing essentials and appealing for national support on television.
Ghuman, a proud Punjabi, publicly thanked Khan on social media at the time, posting a video of the actor's plea with the caption: "Salman Bhai is supporting and highlighting Punjab floods... Thank you, Bhaijaan, for always standing by the needful and affected people!" This gesture underscored Khan's longstanding advocacy for disaster-hit regions, from his contributions to Kerala flood relief in 2018 to ongoing initiatives in Maharashtra.
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Ghuman's death highlights the fragility of life amid demanding careers in fitness and film, where high physical tolls often go unspoken. As a vegetarian trailblazer in a meat-dominant sport, he inspired countless aspiring athletes and broke barriers in bodybuilding. Fellow actors like Sunny Deol and Gippy Grewal echoed sentiments of loss, while fans reminisced about his charismatic screen presence. Khan's tribute not only honours a colleague but also revives memories of their shared moments, from Dabangg's high-octane chases to Tiger 3's global espionage. In Punjab's heartland, where Ghuman's legacy as a local hero endures, his passing serves as a poignant reminder of resilience forged in adversity.
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