Unspeakable, horrific things happen in Kothanodi, Bhaskar Hazarika’s adaptation of traditional Assamese folk tale compendium Burhi Ai’r Xadhu. A woman gets her daughter married to a python with the hope that it’ll bring fortune to the family. The cruel stepmother, Tejimola, has clandestine meetings with the devil, her paramour. The film begins with a man going into the deep, dark forest to bury his newborn. This is not the first time he has done it; it won’t be the last time either. That man, Poonai, is following orders from his uncle, who he regards as a well-wisher, turning a deaf ear to his wife, Malati. This is the worst kind of example of blind faith and superstition over reason and basic humanity.