Driving License

 

Directed by Lal (Jr.) Driving License is a story of  a famous film star wanting to get a duplicate license. Kuruvila Joseph (Suraj Venjaramoodu), is the Motor Vehicle Inspector and is a passionate fan of Malayalam film actor Hareendran (Prithviraj).  My mother loved this movie, and narrated the story to me, last year. She is not one who would watch many movies, so was curious to know what is so special about this. 

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 wrapped as soon as possible. Issuing a new licence would take time. 

Hareendran's politician friend Peringodan (Saiju Kurup) meets Kuruvila for 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  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. All these severely damages Hareendran's reputation.  There are misunderstandings between them, 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 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 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 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, overruling it his superior pass him. Kuruvila makes Hareendran wait until noon for the follow-up "road test". At noon, he postpone the test by two days,  Hareendran announces to the onlooking fans and media that he is forfeiting driving forever because Kuruvila has misused his power and he will retire from acting if this disrupts his life further. Enraged fans began lynching Kuruvila, Hareendran saves him and flees from the place.While en-route, they clear the misunderstandings. Peringodan say, he was planning to give the driving license the day first Hareendran came to RTO and it was not he who had invited the press reportes. Also they understand that it was not hareendran who had send people to beat Peringodan. Peringodan also puts forth that Hareendran, would be the hero for his fans, but for his son, he was the hero, and he could not see him sad. Hareendran brings Kuruvila and family to his house. 

Before leaving to the airport Hareendran interacts with the press about their reconciliation. A drunken Agasthi interferes and deliver him 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.