Driving Licence is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Lal Jr, written by Sachy and produced by Prithviraj Productions and Magic Frames. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Suraj Venjaramoodu. The story follows film actor Hareendran who wants a driving licence urgently and his ardent fan, 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 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 the filming of his film, The Great Director, 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.
Due to a clerical error while shifting between RTO buildings, Hareendran cannot apply for a duplicate licence as issuing a new licence would take time. Hence, Hareendran's politician friend Peringodan 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 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, has been driving without a licence. The news spreads, and an infuriated Hareendran scolds Kuruvila in front of his son and superiors for the leak and leaves. Angered, Kuruvila informs reporters that Hareendran was arrogant and wanted a licence without going through the normal procedures.
Hareendran's reputation has been severely damaged and to worsen the situation, Bhadran's fans community head, Saheer, organises a hit-and-run attack on Kuruvila. At midnight, a masked gang cast stones at his house and Kuruvila's son suffers a 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 perform Satyagraha in front of Hareendran's residence, where media and fans also assemble. Amidst, a drunkard named Agasthi is trying to meet Hareendran but is 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 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, and a flight is charted to reach there as soon as the test is completed.