Paoli and Parambrata shoot a music video on Tuesday. Picture by Aranya Sen

Parambrata Chattopadhyay is back home from Bristol on a two-week holiday, sporting a French beard and curly hair.

On Tuesday, t2 found the lanky actor, who’s pursuing a one-year Masters course in film and television production at the University of Bristol in the UK, dancing and singing with Paoli under artificial showers. They were shooting a music video for ETV Bangla.

“The first thing I did after landing at the airport is head straight to a salon for a haircut. In Bristol, a simple haircut sets you back by £10-12. So, I let my hair grow. Besides, there was nobody to nag me about my hair and I could walk on the streets without a care in the world.... But sitting in Bristol, I had to let go of three films,” rued Parambrata, in between the shots at Ibiza.

Yet, student life in Bristol is as exciting as it can get. Studies apart, pub-hopping is high on Param’s roster there. “Bristol has some of the most wonderful pubs. There’s a fantastic jazz bar called The Old Duke, which provides a platform for some of the best jazz musicians. I hang out there with friends,” he said.

“Besides, I make a trip to London every fortnight where I catch up on what’s happening in Bollywood and Tollywood.... I have made some great friends. Some of them are Greek, Italian, American, British and Portuguese. And I share my apartment with three women — a Mexican, a Dutch and an Indian!” laughed Param, who’s also squeezing in the post-production work of his directorial debut Jiyo Kaka!! during the two-week breather.

Work apart, Param is touching base with friends and family. “I wanted my folks to get a taste of my culinary skills. I didn’t even know how to make tea before. Now I know how to cook rice and meat curry!” he added.

When we asked if he was meeting Swastika Mukherjee, mum was the word. From both.