'Rohan and Annie, two young lovers and students, arrive in Madras, India, from Australia and, after spending the night, fly to Bangalore, where they are billeted at a guest house. Rohan meets Dan at the Music Institute, who shows them an apartment in the Old Palace that has recently become vacant. Annie wants to sign the lease, but Rohan is hesitant. Eventually, they move into Apartment 7 and as Rohan thrives, Annie struggles confirming a fortune teller's prediction.
'Rajinder, a Bombay-born fellow student, invites Rohan to spend the mid-term break with his wealthy family and attend Bollywood parties. Rohan has a brief but memorable affair with movie star Padma Lotus at one such party. Unbeknownst to Rohan, photographers capture his image leaving Padma's penthouse in a limousine, and a newspaper publishes an article linking him to the star.
'Despite disappointing his parents and Indian Guru, Rohan travels overland on his motorbike with his new 12-month visa to join the free and easy beach scene in Goa. He meets academic Suellen, who questions his life direction and professional abilities. However, a concert performance confirms his talent and leads to the formation of a new music group, Hibiscus, which becomes the most sought-after live act in Goa for the tourist season.' (Publication summary)