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Plot

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{{short description|2019 film by Lal Jr.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Driving Licence
| image = Driving License Film Poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Lal Jr.]]
| producer = [[Supriya Menon]]<br/>[[Listin Stephen]]
| writer = [[Sachy (writer)|Sachy]]
| starring = {{ubl|[[Prithviraj Sukumaran]]|[[Suraj Venjaramoodu]]}}
| music = Yakzan Gary Pereira<br/>[[Neha Nair]]
| cinematography = Alex J. Pulickal
| editing = Ratheesh Raj
| studio = [[Prithviraj Productions]]<br/>[[Magic Frames]]
| distributor = Magic Frames
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2019|12|20}}
| runtime = 135 minutes
| country = India
| language = [[Malayalam]]
| budget = 
| gross = 
}}
'''''Driving Licence''''' is a 2019 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[comedy-drama]] film directed by [[Lal Jr.]], written by [[Sachy (writer)|Sachy]], and jointly produced by [[Supriya Menon]] and [[Listin Stephen]] through the companies [[Prithviraj Productions]] and [[Magic Frames]]. The film stars [[Prithviraj Sukumaran]] and [[Suraj Venjaramoodu]], with [[Miya George]], [[Deepti Sati]], [[Saiju Kurup]], [[Suresh Krishna (actor)|Suresh Krishna]], [[Lalu Alex]], [[Major Ravi]], and [[Nandhu]] in supporting roles. The film's music was jointly composed by Yakzan Gary Pereira and [[Neha Nair]].

In the plot, film actor Hareendran wants a driving licence urgently, his a hirdent fan and a Motor Vehicle Inspector, Kuruvila Joseph, agrees on delivering it illegally, but their rendezvous does not go well, on the contrary, a feud develops between them that takes a toll on each other's personal and professional lives. ''Driving Licence'' was released in India on 20 December 2019 and internationally from 25 December 2019. The film met with a positive response from critics and was a commercial success at the box office.

==Plot==
Kuruvila Joseph, a Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) at [[Kakkanad]] [[Regional Transport Office|RTO]] is a passionate fan of Malayalam film actor Hareendran. Hareendran is preparing to leave for the United States for his wife's diagnosis, delaying filming of his ''The Great Dictator'' which already incurred a [[budget overrun]]. With the climax still remaining to be shot at an [[Indian Navy]] leased land, the crew learns that Hareendran's driving licence that needs to be submitted to get clearance is missing. The producer is outraged as the film has to be [[Wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] as soon as possible.

Due to a [[clerical error]] while shifting between RTO buildings, Hareendran cannot apply for a duplicate licence. Issuing a new licence would take time. Hence, Hareendran's politician friend Peringodan meets Kuruvila for [[Influence peddling|speeding the procedure]], Kuruvila agrees to issue licence illicitly without Hareendran even attending the test, in return, he summons Hareendran to the RTO to meet him in person and as a proof in case of an inquiry. Meanwhile, Hareendran's professional rival Bhadran is plotting to suppress competition from Hareendran by means of occult.

Even though he realises going to the RTO might give away clues for his visit, Hareendran hesitatingly agrees, hoping that an unadvertised visit calls for less visibility. On his arrival, he sees TV channels surrounding the premises, amidst, a peon gives a misinformation to a reporter that Hareendran, an avid driver, was driving without a licence until now. The news spreads. Inside the office, an infuriated Hareendran scolds Kuruvila in front of his son and superiors for the leak and leaves. Angered Kuruvila inform reporters that Hareendran was arrogant and wanted a licence without going through the normal procedures.

Hareendran's reputation has been severely damaged. To worsen the situation, Bhadran's fans community head, Saheer, organises a [[Hit-and-run tactics|hit-and-run attack]] on Kuruvila; at midnight, a masked gang cast stones at his house and Kuruvila's son suffers head injury. Kuruvila believes it is Hareendran's men. Meanwhile, Hareendran reluctantly cancels his US trip on the producer's insistence. While rushing his son to the hospital, a frustrated Hareendran calls Kuruvila by phone and threatens him, which affirms Kuruvila's conviction.

On police inquiry, Kuruvila and wife accuses Hareendran. But Hareendran is not charged as his involvement was inconclusive. Protesting it, Kuruvila and family performs [[Satyagraha]] in front of Hareendran's residence, where media and fans also assemble. Amidst, a drunkard named Agasthi is trying to meet Hareendran but denied entrance. Addressing media, Hareendran states that Kuruvila is a crazy fan and a kind of stalker who finds gratification by being a part in his idol's life through disruption. He shows Kuruvila's fan messages as evidence and announces that he has decided to attend the test in the supervision of Kuruvila.

Hareendran gets permission for an open test, which can be viewed by media and can be telecast live, the [[Electronic assessment|computer-based test]] is replaced with a direct question-answer session with Kuruvila. Kuruvila asks difficult and unusual questions, still Hareendran manages to pass the [[Learner's permit|learner's test]]. Kuruvila's son is bullied by Hareendran's fan-boys in school, with that, Kuruvila decides not to send him school until Hareendran has failed and is determined to fail him using [[Discretion|maximum discretion]]. Meanwhile, Hareendran's wife requires a surgery, a flight is charted to reach there as soon as the test is completed.

On the practical assessment day, Hareendran smoothly completes the "H test", but Kuruvila fails him pointing petty mistakes. The Decision is overruled by his superior and pass up Hareendran. Kuruvila makes Hareendran wait until noon for the followup "road test". At noon, he postpone the test by two days, which happens to be the day of Hareendran's wife's surgery. Hareendran announces to the onlooking fans and media that he is forfeiting driving forever because Kuruvila has totally [[Power harassment|misused his power]] and he will retire from acting if this disrupts his life farther. Enraged fans began [[lynching]] Kuruvila, Hareendran saves him and flees from the place.

While en-route, they clear the misunderstandings. Hareendran brings Kuruvila and family to his house. Two days later, before leaving to the airport Hareendran interacts with the press about their reconciliation. A drunken Agasthi interferes and deliver him a laminated copy of his lost licence and said he has been trying to reach him since the beginning. To the crowd, Hareendran says: "I can drive now, right ? Received my driving licence". He then drives off in his car.

==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
*[[Prithviraj Sukumaran]] as Hareendran
*[[Suraj Venjarammoodu]] as Kuruvila Joseph
*[[Miya George]] as Elsa Kuruvila
*[[Deepti Sati]] as Bhama Hareendran
*[[Saiju Kurup]] as Johny Peringodan
*[[Suresh Krishna (actor)|Suresh Krishna]] as Megastar Bhadran
*[[Lalu Alex]] as Jagannatha Varma
*[[Major Ravi]] as J. RTO Samuel Jackson
*[[Nandhu]] as Driver Kunjali
*[[Shivaji Guruvayoor]] as RTO Siva G.
*Adhish Praveen as Jinto Kuruvila
*Arun as Movie Director
*[[Aneesh G. Menon]] as Zaheer
*[[Salim Kumar]] as Agasthi
*[[Vijayakumar (Malayalam actor)|Vijayakumar]] as DYSP Joseph Unniyadan
*Nandhu Pothuval as Production Controller
*[[Kalabhavan Navas]] as Menon
*[[Sohan Seenulal]] as Anandhu Panicker
*Mridul Nair as Kabeer
*[[Boban Alummoodan]] as Kottukapalli
*Sunil Babu as Murugan
*[[Kalabhavan Haneef]] as Pillai
*Shafique Rahman as Channel reporter
*[[Vijayaraghavan (actor)|Vijayaraghavan]] as Himself (Cameo)
*[[Idavela Babu]] as Himself (Cameo)
*[[Mafia Sasi]] as Himself (Cameo)
*[[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]] as Himself (Cameo voice-role)
{{colend}}

==Production==
The film was launched on 11 July 2019 and [[principal photography]] began in the following week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prithviraj's Driving Licence launched |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2019/jul/12/prithvirajs-driving-licence-launched-2002717.html |access-date=29 December 2019 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{empty section|date=January 2020}}

==Release==
''Driving License'' was released in India on 20 December 2019 and internationally from 25 December 2019, debuting in the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]]. The film had a digital release through [[Amazon Prime Video]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Driving Licence|url=https://www.amazon.com/Driving-Licence-Prithviraj-Sukumaran/dp/B08427ZQZ6/|work=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]]|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref>

===Critical reception===

Rating 4 in a scale of 5, ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' praised writer Sachy, stating that he "proves once again why he is one of the best screenwriters in Malayalam cinema at the moment. His writing carries the sort of colour and flavour last seen in the early [[Priyadarshan]], [[Sreenivasan]], and [[Siddique-Lal]] films" and that "the purpose of any good cinema is to not just entertain but also deliver a wholesome community experience, which is exactly what ''Driving Licence'' does", and also praised the actors' performances.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shrijith|first=Sajin|title='Driving Licence' review: A delectable, wholesome meta entertainer|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2019/dec/21/driving-licence-review-a-delectable-wholesome-meta-entertainer-2078928.html|access-date=29 December 2019|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=21 December 2019}}</ref> [[Anna M. M. Vetticad]] from ''[[Firstpost]]'' rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and said "Prithviraj is terrific in a captivating drama on pride and pettiness, fandom and fury", and "each time you think you have cracked ''Driving Licence'', it takes a surprising turn. This screenplay is one of the cleverest pieces of writing to emerge from [[Malayalam cinema]] in what is already a great year for Mollywood" and praised the direction, editing and actors' performance.<ref>{{cite news|last=Vetticad|first=Anna M. M.|title=Driving Licence movie review: Prithviraj is terrific in a captivating drama on pride and pettiness, fandom and fury|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/driving-licence-movie-review-prithviraj-is-terrific-in-a-captivating-drama-on-pride-and-pettiness-fandom-and-fury-7814391.html|access-date=29 December 2019|work=[[Firstpost]]|date=22 December 2019}}</ref>

''[[Malayala Manorama]]'' rated 3.5 out of 5 and stated that "The plot, which gains incredible momentum from a small thread, is actually the hero of the movie. The screenwriter and the director have been able to present it amazingly without making the audience bored" and praised the acting of Prithviraj and Suraj.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ajith|title=Driving License movie review: An interesting ride from Prithvi-Suraj|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2019/12/21/driving-license-movie-review-prithviraj-suraj-jean-paul.html|access-date=29 December 2019|work=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=21 December 2019}}</ref> Rating 3 out of 5 stars, [[Sify]] dubbed it "entertaining" and "a fine journey that keeps the viewer engaged all along", also adding: "with a tight script that has humour, emotions and drama, Sachy scores well. Lal Jr. packages the movie in an entertaining way. The visuals and the music are good" and praised Prithviraj for his "top notch performance" and Suraj for his "terrific form".<ref>{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=Review : Driving Licence review: A fine journey that is engaging (2019)|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/driving-licence-review-a-fine-journey-that-is-engaging-review-malayalam-tmvkfyaiibjcc.html|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=29 December 2019|date=21 December 2019}}</ref>

''[[The Indian Express]]'' rated 3 out of 5 and called it "an engaging watch" and that the "director Lal Jr and his writer Sachy have conceived a solid premise that makes this meta-film an engrossing watch".<ref>{{cite news|first=Manoj Kumar|last=R.|title=Driving Licence movie review: An engaging watch|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/driving-licence-movie-review-rating-prithviraj-suraj-venjaramoodu-6177556/|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=21 December 2019|access-date=26 December 2019}}</ref> Rating 3 out of 5, ''[[The Times of India]]'' wrote that the film "has all the necessary elements to keep you glued to it. Mostly, it is a kick-back-your-shoes-and-enjoy fun ride".<ref>{{cite news|last=Antony|first=Deepa|title=Driving License Movie Review: A hilarious no-brainer|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/driving-license/movie-review/72901326.cms |access-date=29 December 2019|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=21 December 2019}}</ref> ''[[The News Minute]]'' also rated 3 out of 5 and wrote: "In an interesting plot that falters at places, especially in the characterisation of women, you catch present-day realities and the dangers of a star-fan relationship" and "Prithviraj and Suraj play the star-fan roles admirably well".<ref>{{cite news|last=Cris|title='Driving License' review: Prithviraj and Suraj play the star-fan roles admirably well|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/driving-license-review-prithviraj-and-suraj-play-star-fan-roles-admirably-well-114535|access-date=29 December 2019|work=[[The News Minute]]|date=21 December 2019}}</ref>

===Box office===
The film collected $358,424 in the opening weekend in the [[United Arab Emirates]] and $489,429 in two weeks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Driving Licence |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr1051546117/ |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|tt9264336}}

[[Category:2010s Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Films about actors]]
[[Category:Fictional rivalries]]
[[Category:Films featuring feuds]]
[[Category:Indian thriller drama films]]

Driving Licence (film) - Revision history

Bot at 10:15, 7 March 2023

62.72.90.241: /* Plot */