Jhilmil Hazarika’s ‘To Kill or Not to Kill’ captivates Arunachal Rang Mahotsav

As the Arunachal Rang Mahotsav nears its December 6 finale, the international theatre platform witnessed a powerful and emotionally charged performance by Delhi-based actor Jhilmil Hazarika in the acclaimed play To Kill or Not to Kill. 

The production, directed by Ovlyakuli Khodjakuli, received widespread appreciation, particularly for its gripping fire climax that left the audience awestruck.

The play weaves an intense dramatic fabric, bringing Shakespeare’s Hamlet face-to-face with Euripides’ Medea, creating a fusion that probes moral ambiguity, gender violence, and internal dilemmas. The title underscores the ethical struggles that shape the narrative, compelling viewers to reflect on justice, suffering and trauma.

Festival Director Riken Ngomle commended Hazarika’s performance, calling it one of the standout presentations of this year’s Mahotsav. He noted that To Kill or Not to Kill represented the final international staging of the festival, signalling a shift toward regional and homegrown productions in its remaining sessions.

Riken announced that tomorrow the Mahotsav stage will host Money Money Money Brighter than Sunshine Sweeter Than Honey, an interactive Hindi–Nyishi production by artists from Keyi Panyor district. Directed by prominent actor-trainer and theatre educator Rilli Ngomle, the play examines the pervasive influence of “money culture” on community life — unraveling how financial aspirations shape relationships, choices and social values.

Blending traditional storytelling forms with contemporary theatrical elements, the production invites the audience to participate, respond and engage — turning theatre into conversation rather than spectacle.

With performances like these, Arunachal Rang Mahotsav 2025 continues to validate its reputation as a premier stage for thought-provoking, culturally rooted performances that bridge artistic traditions and community dialogue.