‘A Suitable Boy’ recap: What happened in Episode 2?

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 second episode of A Suitable Boy, which aired on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 2nd August 2020:

Lata (Tanya Maniktala) continues to pursue a romantic relationship with Kabir Durrani (Danesh Razvi), though she knows her mother would disapprove of the match.

When news reaches Mrs Rupa Mehra (Mahira Kakkar) that Lata has been seen with an unsuitable boy she is furious, and takes action to keep the young lovers apart.

Removed to Calcutta, Lata’s spirits are low, until she attends a party hosted by the sophisticated and eccentric Chatterji family.

Meanwhile, Saeeda Bai (Tabu) and Maan’s (Ishaan Khatter) affair continues, becoming a source of gossip that threatens them both.

As Maan’s father (Ram Kapoor) rounds on him, under growing political pressure, Saeeda Bai takes decisive action of her own.

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