This one’s a film set in London, about three 70-something fogies (soldiers) - Kader Khan, Prem Chopra and Satish Kaushik - all of whom have only one thing in common. They have nobody in the world who cares for them.Prem Chopra’s son treats him like a servant, Satish Kaushik’s children leave him to baby-sit the little ones, and Kader Khan lost his son in a police attack, and post 9/11 he’s constantly dealing with racial harassment because he’s Muslim.
Disillusioned with the world and without enough money to even buy three ice-creams, these golden oldies find a purpose to their lives when they decide to help a good-as-gold Indian boy Jimmy Shergill who’s being falsely implicated in a murder he didn’t commit.
Viewers of Hindi cinema will recall that a number of films with a similar theme have been attempted in the past - Baghban is a shining example that presented the issue most effectively, without deviating from the core issue.
Unfortunately, Umar suffers because debutante director seems completely ill at ease handling a delicate issue The story he has opted for had scope for a lot of drama, but the writing is so routine that the viewer can actually guess what the next sequence would be like. Even the dialogues are outright predictable.
Although filmed in London, the film lacks the finesse and gloss . Music is alright. ’ Cinematography is below par.
From the script point of view, there are many loopholes.For example why would four most wanted murder suspects roam the streets in broad daylight, and break into brawls in public places?
Jimmy enacts his part with sincerity, although he tends to go overboard at times. Shenaaz is able, but needs to work on her expressions. Satish Kausik is mediocre, mainly because the role doesn’t offer him ample scope to prove his mettle. Kader Khan is plain average. Prem Chopra is passable.
On the whole, Umar is a weak fare.