Late Tennis star Radhika Yadav's co-star Inam-ul-Haq recalls time together on music video shoot, says 'She wanted to become an actor'

Radhika Yadav wanted to join films

Actor Inam-ul-Haq has issued a public clarification distancing himself from Radhika Yadav, the former tennis player who was allegedly shot dead by her father in Gurugram.

In an interview with ANI from Dubai, where he is currently based, Haq emphasised that his association with Radhika was strictly professional, and that he had no personal connection with her beyond a single project.

“I first met Radhika during the Tennis Premier League in Dubai,” he said. “Later, we collaborated on a music video. She was simply a co-actor. After the shoot wrapped, there was no further interaction between us. It was a one-off engagement, and she was wished well. That was the extent of it.”

The actor also expressed concern over the way the incident is being politicised and sensationalised. “I’m disturbed that a communal angle is being drawn into this tragedy. There’s no need to misrepresent the nature of our professional collaboration, especially when the video is publicly available on YouTube,” he added.

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While recalling his time shooting with Radhika, he mentioned, "4-5 ghanta shoot chla tha, Noida main humne shoot kia tha, 11 bje se lekr 5-6 bje tk shaam ko. Radhika ki mother saath main aayi thi aur Radhika ne mujhe set pr yeh bhi bola tha ki unke father ko yeh gaana bhot achha laga, toh iska mtlb voh apne father se permission lekr aaye thi [The shoot lasted for about 4–5 hours. We filmed in Noida, from around 11 in the morning till 5–6 in the evening. Radhika’s mother had accompanied her, and Radhika even told me on set that her father really liked the song. So that means she had come with her father's permission"]

"Wahan pr one to one Radhika aur main nahi the, Radhika ki poori family ko pata tha, mere paas badi team thi, direction, production head, toh ek Tarah se professional connection tha Radhika ke saath. Unhone bola tha unhe iss line main kaam krna hai, as an actress, ads, movies, music videos, unka interest tha [Radhika and I were never alone there — her entire family was aware of the shoot. I had a large team with me, including direction and production heads, so my connection with Radhika was purely professional. She had mentioned that she wanted to work in this field — as an actress, in ads, films, and music videos. She was genuinely interested in pursuing it as a career"]

Radhika, 25, was fatally shot—reportedly four times in the back—by her father Deepak Yadav at their Sushant Lok residence on Thursday while she was preparing a birthday meal for her mother. According to police, Deepak has confessed to the crime, citing societal pressure and wounded pride.

During interrogation, Deepak allegedly told officers: “Villagers would mock me, saying I was living off my daughter’s success. Some even made inappropriate comments about her character. I asked her to close the tennis academy, but she refused. I couldn’t take the shame anymore.”

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He further stated that, in a moment of rage, he retrieved his licensed revolver and fired at his daughter while she was in the kitchen. “I did it. I shot her because I couldn’t bear it,” he reportedly told police.

Investigators believe the motive may also include caste-related prejudice, as Radhika was allegedly in a relationship with someone outside her caste, which Deepak disapproved of.

Gurugram Police are now investigating whether Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, was aware of her husband’s intentions. “There are indications she may have known something. We’re looking into it,” said Sandeep Kumar, the police PRO.