Original subtitles

Today I feel like eating outenga (fruit) dipped in daal!

True, kokai!

That’s the best way to eat an outenga!

Tejimola!

Tejimola!

Come on!

Father!

Father...

...won’t you ever take me with you?

Not this time darling.

This is going to be a long trip.

Next time I’ll take you all the way to Sadiya, ok?

Lies! All lies!

I’m leaving her in your care for the first time.

Will you look after her well?

Don’t worry about her.

I won’t let a thing bother her.

You be good and listen to your mother.

Father! I’m not a kid any more!

Let’s go.

Goodbye!

Mother...

...don’t you wish father would take us with him?

I’d love to go across the river.

There’s so much to see. Isn’t it mother?

Mother?

Stop daydreaming.

There’s a lot to do. Get back home.

- Hold it tight! Tight! - Don’t let it out!

Shove it in! Shove it in!

Hold it tighter!

Yeah, good!

Tejimola! Hey, Tejimola!

Let’s go pluck olives by the riverside!

You wait. Let me ask mother.

Go.

Mother, can I please go with Phaguni to the river side?

Mother?

What did you say?

Food hasn’t been cooked! Cows haven’t been fed!

Clothes haven’t been washed!

And this bitch wants to pluck olives!

- You want to go pluck olives? - Tejimola!

Get in! Get back in!

You want some too?

Where have they disappeared?

They’re useless!

God knows why it’s taking so long!

They’ll be here soon, sir.

It’s not as easy as catching a worm, after all.

They’re here! They’re here, sir!

Found it? A big one!

Check it.

It’s here.

Hey, sure it won’t come out?

Do not fear sir.

This isn’t a snake. It’s an angel!

Move.

Hey! Where are you going with these?

Jagannath Mahajan’s house!

- What’s the occasion? - You haven’t heard yet?

- It’s his daughter’s wedding. - Where’s the groom from?

- The groom is a python! - What? The groom is a python?

Has the Mahajan gone crazy?

Look at this fat duck!

I have two more here.

They’re here ma'am!

Get me the things.

I’ll take them all.

Ask Budheshwar to give you what’s due.

Which side is the mouth?

I think... it’s this side.

No... no! Over there... I think.

So, the merchant has left?

For a long time.

Then why are you looking miserable?

He’s put that bitch around my neck.

You mean your stepdaughter?

Forget all that.

The night’s getting deeper...

...and you...

...you’re here after a long time.

Give me the lamp.

You wait here.

O prince of the bush!

How blessed are we...

...to be chosen by you.

But our daughter is no less.

A princess.

And about us... what can I say?

Ask anyone in the village about the glory of our family.

Indeed...

...how many can afford to feed their son-in-law with such choice fare?

Eat.

Eat well, lord of the trees.

Eat, and be a good husband to my daughter.

Eat.

Eat.

Isn't the groom hungry?

Eat.

Eat.

Don’t let anyone in.

- Not even yourself. - As you wish ma'am.

- He’s asleep. - Get out.

Wake up.

What is it?

Our daughter is getting married the day after. Remember?

I don’t want Rupeshwari and her daughter around on the wedding day.

They can return after the wedding.

Are you even listening?

You will tell them to go away first thing in the morning.

Ok, ok. I will! Calm down!

Get up.

Lazy cow! There’s so much to do.

Get up!

Mother...

...why do you hate me?

The merchant married me saying I’ll rule his world.

But I’ve turned into your slave instead!

But till he returns...

...you will do as I say.

You’ll do whatever I tell you to.

You won’t dare disobey me.

Hungry?

Hungry?

Eat it!

Eat it!

Eat it.

Eat it!

- Eat it! - No... I can’t.

Will you eat it or not?

Eat it... eat!

Eat! I am ordering you!

Father!

Is the cloth ready?

Kokai has come a long way for it.

This is the woman. Keteki.

So this is the woman who weaves like magic.

I thought she’d be an old woman.

This one is just a tender girl.

The cloth is almost ready.

I’ll deliver it as soon as it’s done.

Just a moment.

Here...

What’s this? Some kind of magic?

Later kokai, later.

Will this kind be alll right?

Yes, this is so soft.

Good, so then...

...I’ll deliver it to Bhodiya kai once done.

Kokai, it’s getting late. We should go.

Nobody knows where she came from.

It’s not been long. Six months, perhaps.

The outenga came too, rolling after her.

You mean, she just appeared out of nowhere?

They say she gave birth to the outenga.

That it came from her womb.

That’s why she was thrown out of her village.

- They suspected her of being a witch. - Is that so?

But she sure can work magic on the loom.

She keeps to herself.

Does not mingle with the villagers too much.

Good for her.

The outenga goes wherever she goes.

The kids take great pleasure in harassing the outenga.

Yes, the outenga. Tell me more about it.

Looks like she is a witch, after all! She has cast a spell on you!

No. It’s the outenga that has cast a spell on me.

Kokai you stick to your point like a leech to skin!

What do you want to know about that strange vegetable, anyway?

Have you lost your mind along with your manhood?

What’s this nonsense you are plotting?

Keep a lid on your mouth. I don’t want your advice.

I just came to say something.

Take Champa and leave for your mother’s place for a few days.

We don’t want you around during the wedding.

Wedding?

You’re condemning Bonlotika to her death!

You said the same when I married Champa to the python.

That was magic. It won’t happen again.

You’re just saying that because you’re jealous.

You don’t want Bonlotika to be as fortunate as Champawati.

Go inside, dear.

Champa’s husband came to us willingly.

This time, you’ve brought the first snake you could find in the jungle.

How can you compare the two?

You’ve changed so much.

You used to be so loving.

Stop your whining.

I don’t have time for this.

You’ll have to listen to me today.

You have thrown us out of the house at the behest of Dhoneshwari.

You have reduced me and your daughter to penury.

You have done things no honorable man does.

But Bonlotika is like my own child.

Rather than marry her off to a python...

...take a machete and hack her yourself.

It will save her from a horrible death at least.

Stop this madness. Please.

Sir?

What is it?

Ma'am is asking for you.

Just go away for a few days.

Bhodiya kai!

Bhodiya kai!

Keteki! There you are.

Looks like it’s in order.

Wait a minute.

Yes. It’s more than what was agreed upon.

Don’t ask me why. It’s Kokaideo’s wish.

Where is he?

Gone to watch the Bihu.

Oh dear, what a shame!

Our lovely Tejimola toiling in the dirt like a pig!

Who are you?

What do you want?

I’m Bhadoi.

From Dhoneshwari ma'am’s house in Masgaon.

I’m here to invite Tejimola... ...and you... to the wedding.

Whose wedding?

Our Bonlotika. She’s marrying a python.

Isn’t Dhoneshwari’s daughter already married to a python?

No! That was Rupeshwari ma'am’s daughter, Champawati.

Getting their daughters married to snakes... crazy people!

Bon has said she won’t get married unless Tejimola comes.

Oh!

So much love between friends?

Do you want to go to the wedding, sweetheart?

Come inside.

- What’s this? - Why did you pay more?

So I could meet you again.

No, no. You misunderstand. What I meant was...

Can we sit and talk under that tree?

It’s about your outenga.

If you’ll take back this extra money, I can leave.

I just want to help you.

In Maibong, they say a woman once gave birth to a kitten.

In the far banks of the Bhoroli river, I met a woman who was raised by a bird.

And in a village east of Sadiya...

...a duck’s egg cracked one morning and a girl hatched out of it.

I’m a merchant. I have traveled far and wide.

I have seen things, heard stories.

If I can’t help you, I can at the very least, understand you.

Tell me.

Tell me everything from the beginning.

Will you stop your damned crying?

Is it my fault that you’re cursed?

I need a child, not a vegetable!

Please... we... we can try again...

Why? So that I can watch you give birth to a lemon next?

Get out right now.

Or I’ll brand you a witch.

Please... where will I go?

Here, take this! Cut it up and make a nice curry for yourself.

It will cheer you up!

Kokai, please take me across.

- What the hell is that? - Nothing! Let’s go!

I wasn’t scared to see it again.

I felt relieved.

And that was when I realized...

...that I was this wretched thing’s mother.

I can never get rid of it.

I’m stuck with this vegetable for life.

Unless, inside this outenga, lives your child...

Can such a thing even be possible?

It sounds unbelievable.

The world is a big place, Keteki.

There’s all kinds of magic in it.

But why would my own child hide from me?

Why would it stay inside the outenga?

Why won’t it come out?

Maybe it can’t, you know?

Or it could be scared.

Maybe it does come out, without your knowing.

That’s impossible. It stays in my sight every minute.

And at night? When you’re asleep?

Let’s bring you out, little one...

Now, we wait.

I think you should let her go for her friend’s wedding.

Don’t tell me what to do.

Let her go.

Then you can be rid of her forever.

Think about it.

Do you think she’s going to keep quiet when her father returns?

She’ll tell him everything.

How you beat her, how you starved her... everything...

So you see, you have to get rid of her before he comes.

Yes!

What should I do?

Listen.

And that was how my own husband...

...killed all three of my babies.

But not this time.

I will not let them kill anymore.

My God! Why didn’t you tell anyone?

He made me promise not to.

He said it is his uncle’s advice.

He has always followed his uncle’s advice.

But I have no faith in the old man.

This is all his black magic.

I knew you two were hiding something from me.

I’ve been delivering babies since I was a girl.

I can make out if a baby is going to live or die within a minute of it’s birth.

None of the babies were sick.

You said they died of fever.

You were lying! It couldn’t have been.

You think I won’t see through it?

Today the baby turns one month.

This time too, he is going to take her to his uncle.

And this time too, that evil old man will say, "Kill it."

What will you do?

Not this time.

I won’t let him heed the old man.

I have a boat on the other side.

When do you want to leave?

What are you saying?

I can’t leave my husband and run away.

I love him. I respect him.

What will you do then?

I will speak to him.

Has that done any good so far?

This time things will be different.

I’ll demand my right.

I’ll tell him to end the sinful old man’s lust for blood.

I’ll make him see the reason. Enough is enough.

What if he doesn't agree?

In that case, I’ll kill his uncle!

There were no prints on the flour. Your plan did not work.

Then how did it come here? You brought it?

Yes, like every morning.

Why don’t you freshen up?

I’ll cook you some food.

I think I know why it did not come out last night.

It heard us talk. Maybe it understood us.

Have you ever tried speaking to it?

Who on earth talks to a vegetable?

I’m not crazy!

Let’s give it a try. See what happens.

Outenga!

If you can hear me, understand me, show me a sign!

Keteki, you call it.

Outenga, come here.

I really don’t think it--

How could a vegetable understand us?

Because It’s not a vegetable.

I think it’s your child. Your own flesh and blood.

I suspect it lives in the outenga. Unwilling to come out into the world.

But why would it do that?

I have no idea. But I do know that I can bring it out.

Bring it, out?

Yes! But for that you’ll have to cook the meal of your life!

- A meal? - Yes! A feast!

A most lavish spread! A mouthwatering treat!

Can you do it?

Not a word about this in the outenga’s presence...

Where’s my outenga?

Must be around.

This has never happened.

It never leaves my side.

What have you done?

Whatever possessed me to listen to a stranger!

I only want to help you.

I have a child too. My most precious treasure.

I can understand the pain of separation from your child.

You should leave.

No need to do anything for me.

Leave me to my misery.

Have you told them what they are to do?

Yes, ma'am.

I want everything to be perfect.

These boys are experienced.

With pythons?

No ma'am. Brides, of course!

Ma'am?

Leaving?

Come back after the wedding to see Bonlotika’s glory.

You think that is jewellery?

You’ve seen nothing!

Come back to witness my splendour!

You’ll understand why you’ll always be the unwanted one!

Want to go for the wedding?

You want to or not?

Good. Then you wear this dress at the wedding.

It used to be my mother’s.

When she wore it, people used to be mesmerized.

You’ll dazzle in it too.

You’ll be more beautiful than the bride.

I’ll pack it in a bundle.

Change into it when you get there.

Go. Get ready.

Mother. I’m ready.

And so’s your dress!

Go. Enjoy yourself.

All right.

Tejimola...

...this is my mother’s dress.

See that nothing happens to it.

Remember that.

“They say I am an oddity.”

“That I’m an object of mirth.”

“A rolling, wandering green enigma.”

“Yet I am much more than just a curio.”

“I am sadness, and this I can feel.”

“I am loneliness, and this I can taste.”

“I am love, for I hurt too.”

“And so I roam and seek a home.”

“Night and day, day and night.”

“In this world, so wide and free.”

“Is there anyone who will embrace me?”

Son, my time is up.

You must always listen to your uncle.

Obey him like you obeyed me.

He will protect you.

Which way today?

Which way do we go today?

Uncle has instructed us to fish in the east today.

Turn it around.

Bon, you are called.

Just a minute.

You’re here!

How could I not? But what’s this I hear?

- The groom is a python? - No, Tejimola!

The groom is an angel. He’s just in a python’s avatar.

- How can you be so sure? - Because mother says so.

It all began with Champaba.

Someone used to tease her when she was tending the fields.

How?

"I’ll eat the grain, and the rice, I’ll marry Champawati and take her away". That’s how.

Who?

No one could see who it was.

So father promised Champaba in marriage to him if he showed himself.

And then?

And then, a massive python emerged.

Seeing it, father did not want to stick to his vow.

But mother saw to it that father kept his promise.

And so Champaba got married to the python.

Stepmother wept so much!

She thought that the python will eat her daughter.

I don’t blame her.

But mother knew it was no ordinary python.

There was such a scene at the wedding.

As they shut the door to the nuptial room, stepmother was going crazy.

She cried and screamed that the python will swallow her daughter.

But do you know what happened?

Next morning, we found Champaba sleeping soundly.

Her whole body was covered in the most exquisite jewellery!

I swear to you Tejimola.

I had never seen so much gold and silver in my life!

And the python?

No one knows. It had disappeared.

Come on then.

Is this what you’re going to wear on my wedding?

No, of course not! My stepmother has given me a beautiful dress.

Good! You better get dressed. I’ll be back.

Teji, I’m so glad you are here!

Me too, Bon.

Poonai! You never fail me!

Uncle says, it’s not right to disappoint customers.

- Let’s see what you have. - Bring it.

Fresh Borali fish. 11 ser in all.

So fresh they’ll swim away if you leave them in the water!

There has never been a fish trader as good as you!

And, how’s the wife? I heard she’s delivered again?

I pray you two have better luck with the baby this time.

Pay him what he wants.

Oh! You’ve come!

They’ve kept everything ready.

Why don’t you rest for a while?

Budheshwar, take him inside. Serve him something.

No need. I’m fine.

Have you thought this through?

It will be just like Champawati’s wedding. Won’t it?

Don’t pretend Jagan. You well know what I mean.

Honestly, I don’t. What are you trying to say?

It’s a pity all your father taught you was how to make money.

He should have taught you about sin and its wages too.

You married off Champawati to the python because you wanted to kill her.

I knew it even when I was chanting mantras in that poor girl’s wedding.

You and your other wife hate the girl and want her dead.

But the moment I saw the python, I knew that this was no ordinary snake.

I was right.

And here you are again.

Getting hold of a wild python and marrying Bonlotika to it!

Why?

Because you want to sate your greed.

You've lost your mind, Jagan.

This will end very badly, I’m telling you.

What will end badly?

Oh good. You’re here too.

I have said what I had to.

If you two go ahead with this abomination of a wedding...

...find yourself another priest. I won’t do it.

No! You can’t do this--

That’s really unfortunate.

But it’s ok.

After all, we can’t force you, can we?

Good that he’s gone!

Such a priest will bring only ill luck to the wedding.

But who’ll conduct the ceremony now?

- Budheshwar? - Yes?

- Aren’t you a brahman? - Yes I am.

Then you will conduct the wedding.

But he’s not a priest!

Yes, I’m not a priest!

My son-in-law isn’t human either.

Are you coming?

Why aren’t you dressed? It’s time to go.

I’m not going, and neither are you.

Why do you do this every time?

I will not let you to kill any more of my babies.

You think I like doing it? But I still do it.

Has uncle ever guided us wrong? Answer truthfully.

Has he ever caused us misery?

When I was 15, he told me it was fishing that was my calling.

He always told me where the best fish would be.

Today I am one of the most prosperous fish traders.

When I met you, it was uncle who told me you were meant for me.

Now tell me if that was wrong advice?

Uncle has made sure we never lack comfort.

But are we really happy?

How did we get wealthy? By emptying my lap!

We kill our own babies for riches!

I don’t want such wealth!

Just look at her.

I’ve named her Bhagyawati.

Look how calm and happy she is in my lap?

She won’t die.

Uncle cannot do this to us again.

He’ll kill her too! He practises black magic!

He helps us and takes my babies as his payment!

Please do something this time!

Let’s not go to him. Turn the boat.

Let’s go far away from here!

We may not prosper...

...but we will make a safe, beautiful world for our daughter.

We will be so happy.

I will not desert uncle.

You’re wrong. He’s not an evil man.

He loves me. He’ll never harm me.

Now go get dressed. It’s time to meet him.

This outenga looks delicious. Can I take it?

Take it kokai. Make a good curry for you!

Thank you.

Back so early? How was the wedding?

What happened? Why don’t you talk?

Mother...

Mother...

I didn’t do anything.

The... the mouse did it...

Go home, little one.

Give it.

Give it, I said.

Uncle! We’re here.

Poonai and Malati.

We’ve had a girl. Bless her.

This is your firstborn.

Go and raise her well.

She will bring you joy and luck.

Be your strength when you are old.

As for her name...

...Bhagyawati.

It’s a beautiful name.

You’ve gone through a lot of pain.

Forgive me.

All your earlier babies had to die.

Do you want to know why?

Go to the place where you buried them.

Go at night. Stay there a while.

You’ll understand everything.

Now go.

Build a happy world for Bhagyawati.

She’s gone back.

Gone back? Why?

Give way! Give way to the groom!

This is why I didn’t want to bring you.

I would have followed you regardless.

I want to know what uncle meant.

Leaving our newborn baby behind, trudging in the jungle.

What’s come over you?

Bhagyawati is safe with Pomila.

Right now, this is more important.

How can it be more important than our firstborn?

Firstborn?

Didn’t you bury three in the jungle before?

I have to know, what was their fault?

What had they done?

Why don’t you feel like being with me?

It’s ok.

Only god knows what kind of a child you are.

You don’t feel like being with your own mother?

Don’t you...

...want to give a kiss to your mother?

Don’t you want to listen to your mother sing lullabies?

Don’t you feel like plucking flowers with your mother?

Fine.

Stay the way you are.

But you never have to scrounge for food any more.

I will cook you food and keep it for you, every night.

You can eat it, and go back into your shell.

As your mother, this is all I can do for now.

Because...

...I love you a lot.

I know, you’ll come out of your shell one day...

...and hug me tight.

Eat.

Have you seen the bride's mother?

Why will she be here? Go check inside the house.

What’re you doing? Where are you taking her bed?

She has gone mad.

She wants her bed outside the bride’s room.

What? Why?

Has she ever needed a reason to act crazy?

Not there! Bring it this side.

Hurry up.

What?

Your bed--

I’ll sleep here tonight. Run along and get my bedding.

Hurry up.

Mother, I’m feeling scared.

Don’t be silly!

Can one be scared of one’s own husband?

Bon...

...this here is an angel.

When the angel offers you gifts, don’t say no.

Don’t feel shy.

And Bon, remember to ask for a ‘kopali.’

Champa’s husband had not given her one.

Don’t be scared my darling.

I’ll be sleeping right outside.

Open it.

Mother?

Do you want something?

Come to the dheki.

Tejimola!

Mother? Why are we pounding rice at this late hour?

Did I disturb your beauty sleep, my dear?

You got a mouse to destroy my mother’s dress.

You’ll have to pay for it.

Sit.

It wasn’t me mother. It was the mouse.

Not a word more!

You knew there was a mouse in the bundle.

You thought...

...here’s a chance to get back at stepmother.

My mother’s dress...

...shredded by your mouse!

No, no mother...

You’ll pay for this!

Until you admit your treachery, I’ll break every bone in your body!

Don’t stop. Who asked you to stop?

Keep working.

My hand is broken, mother!

So? Use your other hand.

Mother... my hand...

I said use your other hand!

I can’t, mother!

Mother?

Mother...

...your husband is really lucky.

If it wasn’t for his uncle...

...at age fifteen...

...I would have strangled him to death!

Mother!

You broke my hands, mother.

And you got my mother’s dress shredded by a mouse.

Why have you stopped?

Keep working.

I can't mother.

You can.

If not with your hands, you can with your feet.

No! I can't anymore!

I’ll die, mother.

If I said so, you have to do it.

Or I’ll flay you alive.

Or you would rather eat some insects?

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Yes darling?

Mother, my feet are tickling.

My son-in-law is putting anklets on you.

Go to sleep.

Brother...

That old man has ruined not just your plans.

If he hadn’t gotten me buried here...

...at age fourteen.

...I would have hacked father to death.

You broke my foot too, mother.

It’s your own fault.

Now stop whining.

Keep working.

I really can’t anymore, mother.

What about your other leg?

Mother...

What darling?

He’s...

He's tickling my waist.

My son-in-law adorns it with a waistband.

He’s loving you.

Don’t be scared my dear.

Go to sleep.

I’m more unfortunate than you two.

I would have taken all of father’s wealth...

...and poisoned him to death!

That old man has ruined everything!

- Hacked him! - Poisoned him!

- That horrible old man!

- Hacked him! - Poisoned him!

He has been protecting you all this while.

Forgive me for suspecting your uncle.

Let’s get out of here now.

Mother...

Mother...

Forgive me, mother.

Not until you admit to destroying my mother’s dress.

You loathe me.

You did it deliberately.

Father!

Father!

Save me... save me father!

Mother...

He has...

...reached my chest.

And... he stinks so bad.

Don’t say that.

It’s a sin.

My son-in-law is giving you a necklace.

He’s showering his love on you.

Go to sleep.

Tejimola.

Tejimola.

Get up.

No.

No.

Can't...

Yes you can.

Of course you can.

You still have your head.

Will you still say you didn’t ruin my mother’s dress?

Yes, mother.

Yes.

I...

I hate you.

I...

I...

...did it intentionally. Mother.

Don’t...

Don't kill me.

It’s...

...my fault.

Forgive me mother.

Forgive me.

In that case Tejimola, you must die.

Don’t kill me mother.

Don’t kill me.

Bon.

Don’t forget to ask for a ‘kopali.’

Bon...

Bon?

Bon?

Bon.

Bon.

You must have fallen asleep.

Sleep my darling.

The night will pass soon.

And you will be a princess.

Go to sleep my dearest.

Do something!

She’s in pain!

She’s hurting!

Oh god, help us!

Oh god! What is this?!

You go. Go to her.

I wish you could have stayed on.

There are so many questions in my mind.

I need to go back home.

I’ve been feeling uneasy since last night.

As if my daughter is in trouble.

As if she needs me.

Look after your mother.

Goodbye.

“Don’t cry..."

"...when I die.”

“Don’t bury me..."

"...in a hole.”

“Tie a rope around my neck.”

“And take me dragging.”

“Throw me..."

"...in the middle of the Brahmaputra.”

“Don’t cry..."

"...when I die.”

“Don’t bury me..."

"...in a hole.”