The sudden death of Varinder Singh Ghuman has left everyone in the film and fitness world heartbroken. The Punjabi actor and bodybuilder passed away on Thursday after a cardiac arrest at the age of 47. His nephew, Amanjot Singh Ghuman, said that he suffered a heart attack in a hospital in Amritsar around 5 pm. According to his manager, Yadvinder Singh, Varinder had been complaining of shoulder pain and went for a check-up when the cardiac arrest happened.
The Tiger 3 star once talked about a special meeting with Salman Khan in a September 2025 YouTube interview. Read on to know what he said!
How Varinder Singh Ghuman Met Salman Khan
In the interview, Varinder spoke openly about his journey from bodybuilding to Bollywood and how he first met Salman. He began in his usual funny and honest tone and said, “Kasam khuda ki jo kutta ne bana diya na to mera naam Salman Khan hai.” Varinder also talked about how hard it is for outsiders to find success in films. He said, “Raasta to aapko apna aap khud hi banana padta hai. Because hum koi filmy industry se nahi aate hain. Hamare maa-baap koi producer director nahi hain.”
Varinder said that Salman’s passion for fitness helped them connect instantly. He recalled, “Salman sir khud fitness ke liye bahut hi crazy hain. Fitness freak hain. To mujhe wo bahut admire karte the.”
He shared that their first meeting happened by chance in 2010, when he was in Wai, Maharashtra, for World Championship trials. One morning, a stranger walked up to him and said, “Hello paaji, Sat Sri Akaal! Aapke legs bade tagde hain.” Thinking it was just a random fan, Varinder joked, “Aa jao bhai, photo nahi lagvani?”
But then came the surprise after the man said, “Sir, main Salman Khan sir ka trainer hoon.” Varinder didn’t believe him at first. He laughed and said, “Mujhe laga aise bakwaas kar raha hai, photo ke chakkar mein hai na.” But when the man showed him photos with Salman, he was shocked.
The trainer invited him to the Dabangg movie set nearby. Being a big Salman fan since Bandhan, Varinder couldn’t say no. When they finally met, Salman looked at him and said, “Yaar main bodybuilders bahut dekhe, wo tere warg nahi dekhe. You are very tall, good-looking.”
That one meeting changed everything. Salman supported Varinder’s career, attended his Roar trailer launch, offered him Gama and later worked with him in Tiger 3. Varinder had said, “He is a great man. He is a big heart. Aur jitna bada star, utna hi humble, down to earth.”
More About The Late Bodybuilder
Born in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Varinder became a national name after winning Mr India 2009 and finishing runner-up at Mr Asia. He was also chosen by Arnold Schwarzenegger to promote his brand in Asia and became famous as the world’s first vegetarian professional bodybuilder.
After achieving everything in fitness, he entered films with Kabaddi Once Again (2012), followed by Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans (2014) and Marjaavaan (2019). His role in Tiger 3 (2023) brought him back into the spotlight.
