One chirpy, fun and cheerful, the other a little firm and assertive on the surface — these two faces of Tollywood, Susmita Chatterjee and Parambrata Chattopadhyay, were muses for The Telegraph’s year-end party-season-special shoot. Making it a photo series of moods and moments of a perfect party evening, we feature a host of styles and trends in this lookbook that dominated the fashion world this year. Pairing them up for the first time in this shoot, The Telegraph captured the sizzling chemistry between the two in each frame and engaged in a fun and freewheeling chat post-shoot.

Are you a party person?

Parambrata: No. I don’t look for occasions to party. It is not that I don’t like people coming over. I think, Susmita is a little like that… someone who can party the night before even when they have work next morning (both laugh).

Susmita: I don’t agree. I am a party person but don’t get anyone to party with! People think of me like that but you will never find me partying in clubs. It is only social gatherings.

What kind of parties do you prefer most?

Parambrata: House parties.

Susmita: Outdoor.

How would you define yourself as a party host?

Parambrata: Pretty good. Very good food, wine, good music... Also, parties that I host are very organic and free-flowing. It is not that I put up a huge decor or something. But people can come over, feel at home and have a chill time.

Susmita: I have not hosted any party yet. But I think I will be a chilled-out host.

PARTY-READY: Sheer fabric is a trend that scored high in the fashion world this year. Susmita posed in the pretty pink Anand Bhushan net gown detailed delicately with hand-cut metallic flowers hand-embroidered on net. Param complemented the look in Agape’s trendy dark green blazer designed with double lapel, teamed with an edgy cowl-collar shirt and a pair of trousers in beige.

House parties are incomplete without:

Parambrata: Live music. My friends and I belt out.

Susmita: Live music and dim lights.

When hosting a party what are you obsessed with?

Parambrata: People should dance but they should not make me dance. I just like watching from a distance... there is a zamindar feel to that (both laugh).

Susmita: I don’t want boring people in my party.

Parambrata: Then I am out!

Susmita: No, you are not boring. You are just different. People who can entertain themselves well and mix well with others are welcome to my party.

A party peeve:

Parambrata: People puking.

Susmita: Same! (laugh)

A memorable party experience:

Parambrata: I have had a couple of very memorable experiences at t2 parties itself. Once I remember, I forgot what happened in the last bit… when did I go back home, how did I go back home… I can’t recall. That was in 2011, right after I came back from England. The other was in 2013. Next morning I had to fly off to Mumbai because we were recording a song with Vishal Dadlani for our film Hawa Bodol which would release in March. I remember catching the flight but I don’t know how! Somebody was pushing me all the way to the flight and in the process I lost my phone. I still remember it was a white Blackberry. And I had all the numbers in that. My music director Indraadip Das Gupta literally picked me up and took me there. I didn’t have any numbers, he was making all the calls on my behalf (both laugh).

Susmita: I don’t have anything as fantastic as what Paramda said. But yeah after partying I sleep so much that sometimes I have difficulties waking up the next day. I stay away from home, so they start worrying at home. I don’t have any other great memories but I am trying to make one.

Parambrata: Yeah, you have lots of time left to do that.

Susmita: You are treating me like a kid!

Parambrata: You are one! All my young friends from the industry, Rwitobroto and all call me uncle... I have an uncle vibe. I look young but have an uncle soul!

SAY CHEERS! Susmita in Manika Nanda’s fitted strappy dress channels the metallic trend with a dose of oomph.The dress is hand-embroidered with sequins and detailed with beads. Param’s blue and black Philocaly tuxedo from Yoseba Men’s Clothing, with cutdana detailing, acts as a perfect offset to Susmita’s bling dress, brightening up the frame.

A favourite place to party:

Parambrata: Not a party person but I used to have a couple of favourite places though. I have great memories from Someplace Else. When we were growing up, we didn’t have a lot of places. So, that was the place that will always hold that nostalgic charm for me. There are many memories of Shisha as well. We have many The Telegraph party memories from here. Now, there are so many places, I get confused. In Bombay, one place in Juhu plays live music every day. I have spent some time in the UK. When I studied there and even now when I go, I think Central London is the hub. It includes going from one place to another, eating at Soho some cheap Chinese and going around really drunk.

Susmita: I really like rooftops.

What is your go-to party outfit?

Parambrata: I like to wear something basic and comfortable. It cannot be very flashy. Something in dark blue and if I take a red pocket square with that, that will itself be a lot for me.

Susmita: Something which is very sexy and hot but at the same time very classy.

A style advice you would like to give each other:

Parambrata: I think she wears very good clothes. I can’t give her advice on that!

Susmita: He should wear some flashy clothes!

Parambrata: I like to blend in with the crowd. I don’t like standing out. I have a lot of bling in my heart but it doesn’t show on my clothes! (Susmita laughs)

A film of each other’s that you liked:

Susmita: I want to say first. You have done so many great ones but my most favourite one is Pari. I love that film. I love you and Anushka in that film.

Parambrata: Thank you so much. Pari is a personal favourite as well. Pari has a very loyal fan base. Not a lot of people talk about it but the people who do talk about Pari are loyalists. For Susmita, I have not watched all her films. I had first noticed her in her debut film when the trailer came out and I thought the first thing that strikes someone about her is the smile. She has got a very beautiful smile and she knows that and she uses that in all the hoardings! I would advice her to save it a little bit. Use it a little thriftily! (Both laugh) Prem Tame I have watched a little, so I think she has quite a bit of potential. We did a film recently called Shibpur where I saw her working and very recently I saw the first half of Khela Jawkhon. I think, in that, she really concentrated. Those who are very new, I tell them very humbly that these people are working at a time when there are a lot of avenues to showcase talent and earn money. I see this tendency in young people because there is so much immediate validation through Instagram reels, many a time they get carried away and forget what is the source of what they are doing... all these are offshoots of that. I think the origin should not be neglected, then everything will become a mess. The love and concentration towards the original craft should not get diluted.

What’s waiting on the work front in the new year?

Susmita: I am shooting for Manush with Jeet da. Completed Chengiz with Jeet da. And there’s another one. Parambrata: I finished Mumbai Diaries season 2 with Nikhil Advani. I finished a film called Notary. Technically it is my first Hindi solo lead. Shooting for another Hindi film now called Walker House. Manabjamin is going to release on January 6. Shabash Feluda also in January. A series of Hindi and Bangla films are coming up, some done by us and in some I am acting. There’s another series coming up in Sony Liv.

Susmita: I have not worked with Paramda but I have worked in a film from his production house recently. That was my first time in London.

What are your thoughts on being paired together for a film?

Parambrata: There’s one advantage of actors, when they work for a long time even kids who play their nieces get to play their heroines after some time. (Laughs)In 2005, I used to do a serial called Swapner Rong Neel, where Priyanka (Sarkar) used to play my brother’s daughter. In Manabjamin we worked together. So, that’s funny. I think something like that will happen if I manage to carry on for another 10 years.

Susmita: I am waiting. I hope very soon. I have a gut feeling.

STYLIST SPEAK

Aisha Desmukh Chaudhari

Silver is trending this season and the Manika Nanda dress is just right for a chic style statement. Nothing says ‘party time’more than this sequinned strappy dress. The fitted gown is apt for women who do not want something which is too sparkly or dazzling. It blends in yet stands out. We styled this with beautiful silver jewellery to amp up the look and this is a definite headturner. The pink sheer net gown is perfect for flaunting those curves you have been working hard on for the New Year Eve’s party. Styled with edgy gold jewellery, it is subtle yet striking. Param’s lookbook has a blend of glam and subtle looks perfect for making bold and classy style statements this party season — Aisha Desmukh Chaudhari, stylist.

Pictures: Pabitra Das

Styling: Aisha Desmukh Chaudhari

Susmita’s make-up and hair: Kaju Guha and Aamrapali

Parambrata’s make-up and hair: Prosanta Dey

Jewellery: Prism Jewelry and Zohra

Location: Shisha BSE and The Factory Outlet