Umar neither qualifies as a thriller, nor is it a social entertainer. If it’s aimed at the masses, there’s scant entertainment on offer. Honestly, Umar tests the patience of the viewers.
Based in London, the film narrates the story of three old men - Kader Khan, Prem Chopra, and Satish Kaushik, who have left their home country to settle here hoping for a better life. Kader Khan, a Muslim, comes to UK to leave behind his past – he bombed a police station because the police falsely implicated his son and then killed him.
prem Chopra, who had a small business of supplying medicines in India, comes to UK to stay comfortably with his son and daughter-in-law but ends up becoming a full-time cook in the house. Satish Kaushik, too shares his fate with Chopra. Though called by son to UK for a comfort life is nothing short for an unpaid baby-sitter.
And this old age mental pain and financial crunch binds the three friends together. Together they try to fight away the hardships and in the process they come across Jimmy Shergil, who soon helps them transforms their life.
Shergill, a college student from, works part-time in a bar as a waiter. The owner of the bar falls in love with Shergill and begins to promote him for her own selfish reason. She tries to get him into a compromising position but he firmly tells her that he loves someone else (Shenaz Treasurywala). The owner mellows down and accepts the relationship as ‘just friends’. But every time she meets Shergill in her room, someone seems to be keeping a watch on her.
On the other hand Shenaz’s childhood friend doesn’t approve of Shergill-Shenaz relationship and tries to kill him, but fails. Shergill takes away the knife and throws it on him. And next time the knife is seen near the dead body of the bar owner’s. Shergill is charged of murder and taken into custody.
Then resurface the trio – Kadar Khan, Prem Chopra and Satish Kaushik – who vow to do justice. A path of revolution is set.....
Director Razdan has opted for a theme that has precious little to offer and that’s where he stumbles.There are no highs or lows in the narrative or interesting twists and turns to keep you engrossed. In fact, the story moves on aimlessly and the viewer often wonders what the director is trying to say or convey through the film. Music is equally uninspiring. The awfulness of the editing merits a special mention. This is probably one of the worst editing jobs ever seen in an Indian film. Sequences are cut together abruptly, with no consideration for pacing or coherence. Portions of the film where characters should have been developed are sped through, but inane sidetracks plod along at a snail´s pace.
Jimmy Shergill and Satish Kaushik ham in their roles. Satish has done the same role many times throughout his carreer .Shenaaz has a small role, with some scenes, but has performed very badly. Of the supporting cast, Kader Khan performs well, Prem Chopra is a disappoinment.
Needless to say, Umar is a bad film that is poor in every aspect, acting, direction, story, and even the climax sucks. Only watch this one if you want a headache.