‘A Suitable Boy’ recap: What happened in Episode 5?

The BBC’s adaptation of A Suitable Boy continued in the UK tonight.

First published in 1993, Vikram Seth’s modern classic tells the story of a young woman’s search for love and identity in India during the 1950s.

Award-winning screenwriter Andrew Davies, who recently wrote ITV’s Sanditon, has adapted the book.

The cast is led by Bollywood star Ishaan Khatter (Beyond the Clouds, Dhadak) and Indian film actress Tabu (Life of Pi, Andhadhun), alongside newcomer Tanya Maniktala.

Here’s a plot recap for the fifth episode of A Suitable Boy, which aired on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 23rd August 2020:

The general election is approaching.

While Kabir Durrani (Danesh Razvi) remains desperate to make amends, Lata finds herself courted by Amit (Mikhail Sen) and Haresh (Namit Das) in Calcutta.

Romantic gestures from both suitors over the Christmas holidays compound Lata’s confusion about her feelings for all her admirers.

Maan (Ishaan Khatter) is once again separated from Saeeda Bai (Tabu) when he accompanies his father on the campaign trail to the Nawab’s village seat in Rudhia.

Their relationship is improving at last, but Maan’s lingering passion for Saeeda Bai threatens to destroy everything.

Vikram Seth’s novel A Suitable Boy is available on Amazon.