Indie Reels, the production company behind Coke Studio Bangla’s Patar Bashori music video, has denied allegations that filming at the historic Bara Sardar Bari in Sonargaon caused damage to the heritage site.

Didarul Islam Shishir, co-producer of the music video, shared a statement from Indie Reels on Facebook addressing the controversy. The production company said cracks and deterioration visible in recently circulated photographs had existed before the shoot.

“Indie Reels has always believed in maintaining professionalism and the highest level of responsibility. Before working at any location, we obtain all necessary permissions and thoroughly assess its overall condition,” the statement said.

According to the company, Bara Sardar Bari was selected as a filming location for Patar Bashori with the intention of presenting the heritage site to Bangladeshi audiences from a new perspective.

Indie Reels said it photographed and recorded video of the entire site immediately before filming because of the sensitive nature of the historic structure. The company said the material was documented to establish whether any damage had been caused during production.

The production company claimed it still has photographs and footage showing the condition of the site both before and after filming.

It also said representatives of the relevant authorities inspected the location before and throughout the production, after which the site was handed back to the authorities.

According to Indie Reels, the Sonargaon Museum authorities subsequently issued the production company an official clearance stating that the shoot had caused no damage to the site’s heritage or infrastructure.

The company also addressed photographs showing cracks and deterioration that have circulated amid the controversy, alleging that some reports had relied on incomplete or old images without verifying the information.

“The cracks or damage shown in the photographs existed before our shoot. We have clear evidence of this in our possession, and the Sonargaon Museum authorities are also fully aware of the matter,” the statement said.

Indie Reels urged those reporting on the controversy to contact the Sonargaon Museum authorities and verify the condition of the site before publishing information.

The statement comes amid allegations that the production of Patar Bashori damaged parts of the historic property during filming.