Varinder Singh Ghuman: The Vegetarian Bodybuilder Who Redefined Strength
Pragya Paliwal | Tue, 14 Oct 2025
Varinder Singh Ghuman, India’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilder and actor, passed away in October 2025 due to cardiac arrest in Amritsar. Known for breaking stereotypes around vegetarianism and fitness, Ghuman inspired millions with his discipline and humility. From winning Mr. India to acting in films like Tiger 3, his legacy continues to redefine strength, faith, and perseverance.
Varinder Singh Ghuman
( Image credit : MyLifeXP Bureau )
The fitness and film world was left in shock on October 9, 2025, when news broke that Varinder Singh Ghuman, India’s pride and the world’s first professional vegetarian bodybuilder, had passed away in Amritsar. Known as the “He-Man of India,” Ghuman wasn’t just admired for his Herculean physique but also for his unwavering commitment to his values, proving that strength, discipline, and compassion could coexist.
A Humble Beginning in Punjab
Born around 1983 in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Varinder Singh Ghuman’s life was rooted in simplicity, faith, and perseverance. Growing up in a Sikh household, he followed a strict vegetarian diet since childhood, abstaining even from eggs. His dietary choice wasn’t just religious; it was philosophical. Ghuman wanted to demonstrate that plant-based living could fuel world-class athleticism.
As a teenager, he was fascinated by strength training and bodybuilding. What began as a hobby in local gyms soon became a full-blown pursuit of excellence. Against all odds and against the stereotype that “vegetarians can’t build muscle” Ghuman transformed himself into a symbol of natural strength.
The Rise of India’s Vegetarian Hulk
Varinder’s journey to fame was not an overnight story. Years of rigorous training, consistency, and faith in his diet culminated in his first big win, the Mr. India title in 2009. Soon after, he placed second in Mr. Asia, earning international acclaim and becoming the first Indian bodybuilder to receive an IFBB Pro Card, a dream for many in the sport.
His success broke barriers in the global bodybuilding scene. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of the world’s most recognized bodybuilders, noticed his potential and personally selected him to promote his line of fitness products across Asia, a rare honor that showcased Ghuman’s influence beyond Indian borders.
What made him truly stand out was not just his size but his story. He became a living example that a vegetarian lifestyle and bodybuilding excellence were not mutually exclusive. For millions of Indian youths, Ghuman was living proof that dedication could defy biology and convention alike.
His Fitness Philosophy
Ghuman’s philosophy was simple yet profound: Discipline is the true protein. In numerous interviews, he shared that his strength came from consistency, clean food, and faith.
He followed a meticulously designed vegetarian diet rich in dairy, pulses, grains, and plant based protein sources. His day would often begin with milk, oats, and almonds, followed by multiple small meals throughout the day packed with paneer, lentils, and vegetables. Supplements, he said, were secondary to real food and rest.
What made him exceptional was his refusal to compromise, neither on ethics nor on ambition. “I have never eaten meat or eggs in my life,” he once said, “and I never will. My strength comes from my belief.”
From the Gym to the Silver Screen
With his towering frame and commanding personality, the film industry soon took notice. Ghuman entered Punjabi cinema with Kabaddi Once Again (2012), a film that capitalized on his athletic aura. He soon made his Bollywood debut with Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans (2014) and later appeared in Marjaavaan (2019).
His most high profile appearance came in Tiger 3 (2023) alongside Salman Khan, where he impressed audiences with his screen presence. Though acting was never his primary goal, he used it as a platform to inspire fitness and wellness awareness among the youth.
A Sudden Farewell
A Humble Beginning in Punjab
Born around 1983 in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Varinder Singh Ghuman’s life was rooted in simplicity, faith, and perseverance. Growing up in a Sikh household, he followed a strict vegetarian diet since childhood, abstaining even from eggs. His dietary choice wasn’t just religious; it was philosophical. Ghuman wanted to demonstrate that plant-based living could fuel world-class athleticism.
As a teenager, he was fascinated by strength training and bodybuilding. What began as a hobby in local gyms soon became a full-blown pursuit of excellence. Against all odds and against the stereotype that “vegetarians can’t build muscle” Ghuman transformed himself into a symbol of natural strength.
The Rise of India’s Vegetarian Hulk
Varinder’s journey to fame was not an overnight story. Years of rigorous training, consistency, and faith in his diet culminated in his first big win, the Mr. India title in 2009. Soon after, he placed second in Mr. Asia, earning international acclaim and becoming the first Indian bodybuilder to receive an IFBB Pro Card, a dream for many in the sport.
His success broke barriers in the global bodybuilding scene. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of the world’s most recognized bodybuilders, noticed his potential and personally selected him to promote his line of fitness products across Asia, a rare honor that showcased Ghuman’s influence beyond Indian borders.
What made him truly stand out was not just his size but his story. He became a living example that a vegetarian lifestyle and bodybuilding excellence were not mutually exclusive. For millions of Indian youths, Ghuman was living proof that dedication could defy biology and convention alike.
His Fitness Philosophy
Ghuman’s philosophy was simple yet profound: Discipline is the true protein. In numerous interviews, he shared that his strength came from consistency, clean food, and faith.
He followed a meticulously designed vegetarian diet rich in dairy, pulses, grains, and plant based protein sources. His day would often begin with milk, oats, and almonds, followed by multiple small meals throughout the day packed with paneer, lentils, and vegetables. Supplements, he said, were secondary to real food and rest.
What made him exceptional was his refusal to compromise, neither on ethics nor on ambition. “I have never eaten meat or eggs in my life,” he once said, “and I never will. My strength comes from my belief.”
From the Gym to the Silver Screen
Varinder Ghuman
( Image credit : ANI )
His most high profile appearance came in Tiger 3 (2023) alongside Salman Khan, where he impressed audiences with his screen presence. Though acting was never his primary goal, he used it as a platform to inspire fitness and wellness awareness among the youth.
