The Fifth Man

Neelam's hysterectomy at thirty hastens her into a sexless middle age and changes her relationship with her husband ari. Their marriage remains stagnant until an unexpected telegram announces the visit of ari's ex-girlfriend esha. By coincidence, their college professor mahanam also arrives at their doorstep bearing an uncanny resemblance to ari's daughter. Events conspire to send all of them on a trip to ajanta and ellora where ancient stories spark memories of lost love and betrayal. Both deeply philosophical and playfully dramatic, the fifth man is a bittersweet meditation on middle-age desire.