Driving Licence 2019

Hareendran is a devoted admirer of the Malayalam film world, and his favorite actor’s work becomes a touchstone in a tale that blends ambition, fame, and the everyday churn of red tape. The story follows Kuruvila, a diligent Motor Vehicle Inspector in Kakkanad, whose respect for his idol spirals into an overbearing obsession. Hareendran is preparing to travel to the United States to address his wife Elsa’s medical needs, while meanwhile a major project—the production of the film The Great Dictator—struggles with a mounting budget overrun. As the production’s demands collide with personal pressure, a crucial document goes missing: Hareendran’s driving licence, a prerequisite for clearance on set.

In a twist born of bureaucratic chaos, Hareendran discovers that obtaining a duplicate licence would take too long. To keep the film moving, Kuruvila agrees to a risky, behind‑the‑scenes solution: he will issue a licence illicitly, without Hareendran ever taking a test. The catch is that Hareendran must appear in person to confirm the arrangement, providing a kind of proof for any future inquiry. This arrangement is not simply a courtesy; it comes with a caveat that tensions the balance between public performance and private manipulation. Meanwhile, Hareendran’s rival, Bhadran, plots to suppress Hareendran’s ascent through cunning and scheming, adding a political edge to the personal drama.

As news leaks to the press, a misreported tip from a peon inflames public perception: Hareendran is allegedly driving without a licence. The sensational coverage fuels anger, and Hareendran lashes out at Kuruvila in front of his family and colleagues, a moment that spirals into a wider misunderstanding. In response, Kuruvila publicly accuses Hareendran of arrogance and a desire to bypass normal procedures, deepening the rift between the two men. The backlash follows Hareendran’s every move, and Kuruvila’s family faces social pressure as well. The tension escalates when a fan‑led assault targets Kuruvila, mounting a sense of danger around everyone connected to Hareendran’s star power.

With public opinion turning and the film’s schedule already precarious, Hareendran postpones his US trip at the producer’s insistence. A late‑night phone call to Kuruvila—during which Hareendran threatens him—adds fuel to the fire, and the police inquiry begins in earnest. The film’s supporters stage a public display in front of Hareendran’s home, while media crews and fans gather, intensifying the spectacle. The situation becomes personal when a troubled man named Agasthi tries to reach Hareendran, hinting at hidden grievances that will surface in unexpected ways.

In a bold move, Hareendran agrees to an open test supervised by Kuruvila, hoping to demonstrate his legitimacy and calm the growing chaos. The test is reimagined as a live, question‑and‑answer session rather than a standard exam, and Hareendran answers a barrage of unusual, challenging questions with calm and composure. The display also reveals a softer, protective side of Kuruvila as a father, who worries about his son’s perception of the industry and the impact of Hareendran’s fame on his schooling. Despite the pressure, Hareendran passes the learner’s test, though Kuruvila tries to hold him to even stricter standards for the road portion.

A dramatic counterplay unfolds as Hareendran’s marriage faces a medical emergency: his wife’s surgery looms, and the delays become fatal if the test drags on. In a tense sequence, Hareendran proclaims that he will retire from acting if the disruption continues, a move that shifts the public mood from furious to reflective. Enraged fans threaten to mob Kuruvila, but Hareendran intervenes, protecting him and his family as they attempt to leave the scene. The misunderstanding between them slowly resolves as the two men begin to understand the pressures driving each other.

Back at Hareendran’s home, the air eases as the truth behind the licence finally emerges: a drunken Agasthi delivers a laminated copy of the lost licence, explaining that he has been trying to reach Hareendran since the beginning. The crowd is reminded that a license can surface in unlikely moments, and Hareendran uses this revelation to restore trust with Kuruvila and those around him. In a closing moment of quiet resolution, Hareendran declares that he can drive again, receiving his driving licence with a mix of relief and defiance. He then climbs into his car and drives away, a symbol of reconciliation and a renewed balance between art, ambition, and everyday responsibility.

I can drive now, right? Received my driving licence

• The ensemble cast threads through the narrative, with Jaganatha Varma appearing in supporting political threads and Johny contributing to the film’s broader community dynamics. The film’s mood is anchored by the steady presence of Kuruvila and the magnetic pull of Hareendran, whose passion for cinema collides with the practical demands of life, family, and a public that loves and judges him in equal measure.