Hi, I am Paroma.

Paroma Neotia introduces herself confidently. She follows the Bangla A-for-Orange rule to the tee, pronouncing it like it’s meant to — ‘po-ro-ma’!

The 17-year-old is a part of Fotowalas: Same City, New Perspectives, a photography exhibition that took place at Jhaal Farezi over the weekend.

Dressed in a chartreuse shirt and white pants, gladiator sandals without a significant heel, Paroma is tall and slim, and like her mother Madhu is having a great hair day. They share genes and perhaps the same hair stylist.

Paroma is one of those people, the instantly likeable kind. She smiles a lot, which is a good thing. She talks spontaneously, another good thing. Ps and Qs perfectly in place, here is how she charmed us over a chat…

Dad Harsh is the first one to know about her plans. “I am a daddy’s girl,” says Paroma; (top) with mother Madhu and twin brother Parthiv

On having a Bengali name: “Every time I ask mom and dad what it means, they smile. I am told it means the ultimate woman. It’s wonderful to have such a name. It’s based on the title of Aparna Sen’s film and that makes it extra special since I am an aspiring filmmaker. I am proud to be ‘Bengali’.”

On college plans: “I want to study filmmaking in the US. I would have done it in India but I feel I might be more technically sound if I study abroad.” She knew she wanted to be a filmmaker five years ago. Watching Rang De Basanti inspired her to make up her mind.

On being a daddy’s girl: “He is the first one to know about my plans. I am a daddy’s girl. The whole world looks at him as Harshvardhan Neotia but to me he is my father. Through him I get so many opportunities to meet such amazing people. I get to watch them closely, learn a lot and talk to them and absorb. My father says when you are talking you are only repeating what you know, it’s when you listen that you learn new things. My father talks so little I can count the number of words he says in a day! At the end of the day, when I see him I talk a lot. After listening to me all he says is ‘okay’. And then I also say ‘okay’! He’s my confidant. He bought me my new camera as a surprise before we went to Kashmir for a holiday so I could shoot a home video.

On being a twin: “It’s amazing. I always have a back-up plan at home! Parthiv and I are always there for each other. The best bit of being a twin is the huge friends’ circle. We have so many common friends. But there’s a disadvantage of having a twin too — there’s always someone to keep a watch on you! He is not my younger brother, so it is difficult to hide anything from him. He knows me too well and accepts me and loves me the way I am.”

On her mother: “She is a paranoid mom. She’s too much in love with us. But the real romance she has is with my brother Parthiv. He’s 6 ft, 4 inches; she’s a foot shorter so she has to get up on the sofa to hug him. Just like how Jaya Bachchan used to tie Amitabh Bachchan’s tie in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...!”

On fashion: Is she a Fabindia fan like her mother? “I am a ‘simple clothes’ fan like my mom.” Zara and Mango are her favourites. Designers don’t interest her at this point. She believes that fashion is “individualistic” and should be “comfort-driven”.

“High heels and short dresses can make you look like a fool if you can’t carry it off,” she says. She lives in jeans and hasn’t counted how many pairs she has. “My favourite pair is a tattered Levi’s. It’s the best because it is so well worn and old.”

Where she hangs out: “At the movies! I love Bollywood.” The last movie she saw was Chennai Express. “I liked it. It’s brainless but fun.” She also loves reading film magazines. And t2!

On the family business: “Yes I am interested but I would like to do something on my own first. I will never move away from my family.”

For this likeable kid, it is all about loving the family!

DoB: May 18, 1996

Studying at: La Martiniere for Girls

Fave holiday destination: Bhutan

Fave food: Dal-chawal

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

They call themselves Lightchasers. Waking up at 5am to catch a morning walker at Safari Park stifle a yawn. Or a chaiwala mundanely going about his job. Or a group gossiping outside Star Theatre. This group of 25-odd, ages varying between 12 and 32 got together for a show last weekend (August 17-18, 5pm to 7pm) at Jhaal Farezi. Titled Fotowalas: Same City, New Perspectives, this was their way to celebrate World Photography Day (August 19). A couple practising pranayam, a morning of footie at the Maidan, action from Kumartuli, A ‘Birbal’ in costume near Ahiritola ghat, Christmas around Flurys and of course Howrah bridge. The city was revisited yet again. Jhaal Farezi, the Park Circus restaurant that celebrates the nostalgia of Calcutta, made a more than apt venue. Special mention to the Jhaal Farezi wall (picture above), an exhibit that focused on the snapshots taken of the restaurant!

The Lightchasers, for once in front of the camera! “As a teacher, I feed off my students’ energy. And this bunch was exceptionally motivated,” said their mentor Saurabh Rungta

(sitting, in pink).

Usha Uthup came to inaugurate Fotowalas on Saturday evening. Amidst claps, cheers and confetti, a yummy chocolate cake was cut. Seen here with Saurabh, Swarup Dutta (scenographer and interior designer) and Paroma.