47 reviews
This movie is a pure entertainment to the typical mallu audience. Do not expect thriller from this plot. If you do not have expectations this will make entertain you. screenplay of the movie is its back bone. Sachi has done it beautifully. Movie will not disappoint you if you are not expecting too much on it.
- chirakkalkinavu
- Dec 19, 2019
- Permalink
" Driving License" Malayalam movie.
Hareendran' superstar of Mollywood, has a take a driving license, for an official purpose. Kuruvila, the motor vehicle inspector, is a hardcore Hareendran fan....so ... getting the license for the superstar, seems to be a situation, won with hands down. The news... 'the superstar was so far, driving the cars without a valid driver's license', was a hot cake for the news paparazzi and the channels. The simple license issue escalates to a ego-war between the superstar and the hardcore fan....is the one line story.
Events take us through their families, the media, the association, the rival who are opportunistic to take advantage of this situation etc.
Well crafted story, hyperinflated screenplay with sentiments and emotional dramas, presented on screen, for our entertainment.
7 on 10 for this so-so time pass movie.
Dangerous degrees of ego clash erupts, which could have been sorted out, at the origin, between the affected parties. Fans and fan clubs taking spur of the moment decisions to aggravate the situation.
' Fan or no fan' is a serious discussion, the superstars should initiate, and Who'll bell the fans, from over indulgence, is the Question.
Hareendran' superstar of Mollywood, has a take a driving license, for an official purpose. Kuruvila, the motor vehicle inspector, is a hardcore Hareendran fan....so ... getting the license for the superstar, seems to be a situation, won with hands down. The news... 'the superstar was so far, driving the cars without a valid driver's license', was a hot cake for the news paparazzi and the channels. The simple license issue escalates to a ego-war between the superstar and the hardcore fan....is the one line story.
Events take us through their families, the media, the association, the rival who are opportunistic to take advantage of this situation etc.
Well crafted story, hyperinflated screenplay with sentiments and emotional dramas, presented on screen, for our entertainment.
7 on 10 for this so-so time pass movie.
Dangerous degrees of ego clash erupts, which could have been sorted out, at the origin, between the affected parties. Fans and fan clubs taking spur of the moment decisions to aggravate the situation.
' Fan or no fan' is a serious discussion, the superstars should initiate, and Who'll bell the fans, from over indulgence, is the Question.
- shyammukundan
- Dec 24, 2019
- Permalink
A good entertainer worth watching once in theatres. Talks about various aspects of lyf and gives a very raw image of characters. All actors have done a marvelous job!
- antonysaju
- Dec 21, 2019
- Permalink
The greatest achievement of (the makers of) Driving Licence could be that it took a simple premise and made an entertaining movie out of it. The central theme of an ego clash between a movie star and his fan (who is a motor inspector) may not sound utterly fresh but the writing does it a lot of good. Neither the star nor his fan is painted in strokes of black and white and that keeps proceedings very interesting. Prithviraj and Suraj play the star and the fan respectively, and the way the screenplay brings these two characters (from totally different strata) together, displays conviction.
Sachy has always been the writer who tries to balance the pure entertainment aspect in his screenplays with its sentimental and (sometimes) massy elements. As such, his efforts have often struck gold at the box office owing to their connect with mainstream audiences. Lal Jr, who only has comedy-thriller Honey Bee (and its insanely bad sequel) and psycho-thriller Hi I'm Tony to his name until now, proves he can direct straightforward entertainers as his father did in his heydays.
The casting for Driving Licence is bang on. Prithviraj, as Hareendran, displays the subtle mannerisms and demeanor of an actual movie star, while Suraj, as motor inspector Kuruvila, steps into the shoes of a fan with ease. Then there's Miya playing Elsa (Kuruvila's wife) who reminds us of Urvashi when she used to do comedies, a stupendously hilarious Saiju Kurup (this man is a state treasure; Malayalam cinema ought to be proud of how great his comedic timing is) who plays a cunning little politician, Deepti Sati as Bhama (Hareendran's loving and understanding wife), Suresh Krishna (as rival star Bhadran) who brings the house down several times, and many other well-known artists who perform well.
Though there is a fair bit of exaggeration in the screenplay once the revenge ploys get going (especially with the fan-mob mentality in the climax portions and the intrusion of media into private lives), it maintains a tight hold in the key interests of its lead duo: both want to keep their self-respect intact and not fail in their masculine duties. One's trying hard to be a good husband to his wife and the other desperately wants his son to continue to adore him. Even with its central conflict at the core, the comedy in Driving Licence is excellent. I even laughed hard when I saw the name for Major Ravi's character - Samuel Jackson. This is feel-good entertainment at its serviceable best!
Sachy has always been the writer who tries to balance the pure entertainment aspect in his screenplays with its sentimental and (sometimes) massy elements. As such, his efforts have often struck gold at the box office owing to their connect with mainstream audiences. Lal Jr, who only has comedy-thriller Honey Bee (and its insanely bad sequel) and psycho-thriller Hi I'm Tony to his name until now, proves he can direct straightforward entertainers as his father did in his heydays.
The casting for Driving Licence is bang on. Prithviraj, as Hareendran, displays the subtle mannerisms and demeanor of an actual movie star, while Suraj, as motor inspector Kuruvila, steps into the shoes of a fan with ease. Then there's Miya playing Elsa (Kuruvila's wife) who reminds us of Urvashi when she used to do comedies, a stupendously hilarious Saiju Kurup (this man is a state treasure; Malayalam cinema ought to be proud of how great his comedic timing is) who plays a cunning little politician, Deepti Sati as Bhama (Hareendran's loving and understanding wife), Suresh Krishna (as rival star Bhadran) who brings the house down several times, and many other well-known artists who perform well.
Though there is a fair bit of exaggeration in the screenplay once the revenge ploys get going (especially with the fan-mob mentality in the climax portions and the intrusion of media into private lives), it maintains a tight hold in the key interests of its lead duo: both want to keep their self-respect intact and not fail in their masculine duties. One's trying hard to be a good husband to his wife and the other desperately wants his son to continue to adore him. Even with its central conflict at the core, the comedy in Driving Licence is excellent. I even laughed hard when I saw the name for Major Ravi's character - Samuel Jackson. This is feel-good entertainment at its serviceable best!
- arungeorge13
- Jan 28, 2020
- Permalink
Good entertaining movie with a good script.good movie for families.this is a good thrilling movie with a different story
Driving License is that movie which will not makes us bored and will like the movie despite being old school. It has comedy, drama, suspense etc. Prithviraj and Suraj did a fine job as the main leads with a good supporting performances from Miya, Lalu Alex and a very funny Saiju Kurup. This is Lal Jr's best movie to date and audiences will definitely wait for his next movie. Overall, Driving License is that movie you can watch with anyone in this holiday season and will not disappoint you.
- Watched in Prime Video.
- One of the best entertainer movies released in Malayalam recently.
- Story is simple, but it is unique and presented perfectly. Acting wise Suraj and Prithviraj were great. I felt like Suraj scored slightly more than Prithviraj.
- Suresh Krishna was excellent as a comedy villain.
- I would really recommend watching this movie.
- sujith789_reviews
- Mar 10, 2020
- Permalink
The newly released Selfiee is its Hindi remake. However, it is sheer callousness to make another version of a product that is average at its best.
The premise is intriguing and fun. So is the delivery, for most part. However, it is the end that drags it down, as there is no logical closure and there is only a haphazard attempt to join all the dots.
Prithviraj is brilliant as the actor / star. So is Suraj, as his biggest fan and then, nemesis. They elevate this average movie and make this an enjoyable fare.
This, like so many other films, suffers from the curse of the second half, where the writers have been plain lazy and have stopped bothering with the direction that their script is taking.
Viewer's loss, at the end, as a potentially intriguing idea gets drowned in a sea of mediocre execution.
The premise is intriguing and fun. So is the delivery, for most part. However, it is the end that drags it down, as there is no logical closure and there is only a haphazard attempt to join all the dots.
Prithviraj is brilliant as the actor / star. So is Suraj, as his biggest fan and then, nemesis. They elevate this average movie and make this an enjoyable fare.
This, like so many other films, suffers from the curse of the second half, where the writers have been plain lazy and have stopped bothering with the direction that their script is taking.
Viewer's loss, at the end, as a potentially intriguing idea gets drowned in a sea of mediocre execution.
- ragingbull_2005
- Feb 25, 2023
- Permalink
Really liked the movie, it has simple plot which "ego clash between two different people one is a Film actor and another is his fan", this is a perfectly executed entertaining movie for the festive season like Christmas family or Youth alike will like this movie and is pick of the movie this Xmas in malayalam, Prithviraj & Suraj was just too good they are the back bone lf the film with Sachy's script which is neatly written.
This one Won't let you down!.
This one Won't let you down!.
- iamSRUTHIN
- Dec 19, 2019
- Permalink
Really treat to watch and great realisting acting as well. Its great that the fan actor would be more young person. Really nice depiction of fans in Indian cinema So watchable.
This was good drama/emotional , movie with some of good comedy scenes and this movie doesn't make you feel bored. It will entertain you
- adithyadevp
- Dec 24, 2019
- Permalink
It is a good entertainer with a story line based on ego clashes between a famous film actor and an outright MV Inspector. Movie is worth watching with family.
- rktk-15156
- Jun 9, 2020
- Permalink
#Advantages
Have fun
Entertainment
Time pass
Fans will like it
.
#Disadvages
Mass Masala
No new story
Poor direction
- vishnub025
- Jan 29, 2020
- Permalink
The core theme of Driving Licence rests on the strong shoulders of fandom and moral behaviour and I can't stop but praise writer Sachi for reigniting the topic (popularly last seen in the 2016 Hindi film Fan). In this entertaining drama with enough doses of almost all elements that the Malayalam audience desires in an entertainer, director Lal Jr puts a modern deity and his devotee in a ring and lets them drive the story. Prithviraj's actor character experiences turmoil when he gets involved in a 'battle of who's the hero' with his fan (Suraj Venjaramoodu), an RTO inspector, after the former's driving licence is misplaced. What follows is a morality play as both the characters pull up their socks to show who's the boss and who's the weakling. In one way, it reminded me of a previous Prihviraj-starrer, Ayalaum Njanum Thammil (2012), where the conflict is in the medical field. Here, the writer and director have used a very relevant social setting (with ample showering of potshots at current affairs plaguing Mollywood) to show how the human mind works where egos have their own way. Driving Licence is fun to watch, but the hyperbole involved in the proceedings - which should have been ideally as realistic as possible - takes some fun out of it for a pedantic viewer like me. The spectacle involving the RTO elements is what made me laugh a few times, in addition to where I actually laughed thanks to the intended humour that is present sporadically. Forget that, and you will enjoy this drama where performances are superior, pace is perfect, and the message that you finally take away a much-needed one. Give it a go. TN.
Nothing more to say good movie go for it you won't be disappointed it's my promise it will be a complete mixture of all pattren
- alansenmon
- Dec 19, 2019
- Permalink
Driving Licence (2019) :
Brief Review -
A funny and enjoyable expostulation of Stardom, Fanship, PR Machinery, Industry Politics, Media and most importantly Self-Respect. Driving Licence is about a star who humiliates a traffic cop, who happens to be his fan. When the fan's dreams are shattered, he does everything possible to bring the star down to earth for the sake of his own self-respect. On the other side, the star uses favourable tricks to tackle him down- without degrading his own image. In this battle, Driving Licence exposes a lot of things that are known to all the intelligent people on social media such as crazy fanship, PR machinery, politics, media blunders, jealousy, conspiracies and whatever known out there. The film has some fantastic moments that are sure to grab your heart. One is that quote in the last when the star Prithiviraj himself admits being a fan. He takes names of legends like Mammootty, Mohanlal and Bachchan.. Goosebumps guaranteed! Throughout the film there are many scenes that you enjoy without any effort. That Q & A session between the Cop and Star is one such scene. It becomes a big breaking news and is being telecasted Live. Damn funny to think but certainly entertaining. It's a funny way to expose the media's hunger of breaking news and I, being a part of that fraternity, understood it very well. It might go over the head for the masses though, but even they have some other scenes to get their lessons. That entire Fans club thing is for them, I believe. The inner politics and conspiracies by the other star are predictable, but plays a pivotal role to build the narrative. The film has its flaws in the details but the performances, dialogues, funny thrills and entertaining elements cover up those loops. Overall, a nice attempt to achieve multiple goals at the same time within cinematic liberty and deservingly mandatory one time watch for all the fans.
RATING - 6.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
A funny and enjoyable expostulation of Stardom, Fanship, PR Machinery, Industry Politics, Media and most importantly Self-Respect. Driving Licence is about a star who humiliates a traffic cop, who happens to be his fan. When the fan's dreams are shattered, he does everything possible to bring the star down to earth for the sake of his own self-respect. On the other side, the star uses favourable tricks to tackle him down- without degrading his own image. In this battle, Driving Licence exposes a lot of things that are known to all the intelligent people on social media such as crazy fanship, PR machinery, politics, media blunders, jealousy, conspiracies and whatever known out there. The film has some fantastic moments that are sure to grab your heart. One is that quote in the last when the star Prithiviraj himself admits being a fan. He takes names of legends like Mammootty, Mohanlal and Bachchan.. Goosebumps guaranteed! Throughout the film there are many scenes that you enjoy without any effort. That Q & A session between the Cop and Star is one such scene. It becomes a big breaking news and is being telecasted Live. Damn funny to think but certainly entertaining. It's a funny way to expose the media's hunger of breaking news and I, being a part of that fraternity, understood it very well. It might go over the head for the masses though, but even they have some other scenes to get their lessons. That entire Fans club thing is for them, I believe. The inner politics and conspiracies by the other star are predictable, but plays a pivotal role to build the narrative. The film has its flaws in the details but the performances, dialogues, funny thrills and entertaining elements cover up those loops. Overall, a nice attempt to achieve multiple goals at the same time within cinematic liberty and deservingly mandatory one time watch for all the fans.
RATING - 6.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
- SAMTHEBESTEST
- Jan 12, 2022
- Permalink
Greatly enjoyed watching this film..a conflict between a superstar and an ordinary man is very well showcased in this movie which is caused due to a small dispute. Anyway it is a perfect entertaining film that will not make you disappointed..this movie worth your money...
- melvinsolomon
- Dec 20, 2019
- Permalink
Superstar Hareendran (Prithviraj Sukumaran) doesn't have a valid driving license and he needs to produce it to get the permit to shoot the climax of his upcoming movie at an Indian Navy leased land. He also plans to take his wife to US for her treatment. With the film already delayed and budget shot, the producer is in no mood to delay the shooting. MVI Kuruvilla (Suraj Venjaramoodu) is a die hard fan of Hareemdran and agrees to give the driving license without following procedure provided, Hareendran takes a photo with him. Misunderstandings lead to Hareendran insulting Kuruvilla infront of his son and the Fan decides to fight the Star to get back his self respect.
The way Kuruvilla's character is established as a true blue Fan of Hareendran sets the story early on while the emotional stress Hareendran is in with respect to his wife's health adds onto the emotional core. Even though the indulgence of the rival actor felt too convenient, the build up to the clash between Kuruvilla and Hareendran is well done. The emotional factor remains the highlight and even though Kuruvilla's wife brings in the humor, it doesn't become distracting. I liked the screenplay had a neat narrative without making any of these go overboard.
It doesn't try to explore more about the emotions Kuruvilla has towards his idol as towards the end, one can still see the die hard in him take over the honest motor vehicle inspector. The way the issue gets resolved is way too convenient but it's the characters that make it work.
The way Kuruvilla's character is established as a true blue Fan of Hareendran sets the story early on while the emotional stress Hareendran is in with respect to his wife's health adds onto the emotional core. Even though the indulgence of the rival actor felt too convenient, the build up to the clash between Kuruvilla and Hareendran is well done. The emotional factor remains the highlight and even though Kuruvilla's wife brings in the humor, it doesn't become distracting. I liked the screenplay had a neat narrative without making any of these go overboard.
It doesn't try to explore more about the emotions Kuruvilla has towards his idol as towards the end, one can still see the die hard in him take over the honest motor vehicle inspector. The way the issue gets resolved is way too convenient but it's the characters that make it work.
- chand-suhas
- Jun 19, 2023
- Permalink
This is a good Malayalam movie and the movie have a good and different story this is a entertaining class movie
- navaneethkr-22635
- Dec 19, 2019
- Permalink
Both the leading stars steal the show,a simple story line but well executed
This is story of ego clash of two person, an actor a d his fan.The story always sidelined the more towards favouring actor, didnt feel a competitive opponent.Attempted to make similar movie like Taxi no 9211, which was amazing.
- manojambakkat
- Dec 28, 2019
- Permalink
- akashmani-84646
- Dec 17, 2020
- Permalink
Movie deals with ego , self respect, self esteem, misconceptions,miscommunications. Both the leading actors did their best . One could learn about how not to judge people .
- vijaykosna
- Apr 22, 2020
- Permalink
Simple story line emerging from a genuine issue. Class acting by Suraj Venjaramoodu & Prithviraj. Great direction, music and cinematography. Good message too in the end.
A brilliant movie experience.
A brilliant movie experience.
- ahamedanas
- Dec 23, 2019
- Permalink