The plight of senior citizens has inspired the filmmaker in every decade and this comes out from the mindset of one of the most controversial film directors of our time. 'Umar' tries to be different from all earlier attempts and runs on different tracks.

Recently Ravi Chopra's 'Baghaan' handled the concept with dignity and grace with Big B's immortal and mind-blowing performances. Razdan has shouldered this film on tried and trusted acting talents of the tinsel world. Kader Khan, Satish Kaushik and Prem Chopra play the protagonist who confronts the pain and suffering of old age.

The film has the backdrop of foreign land (UK) where the director has sketched the relevant fact and fiction of the film. Films like 'Zindagi' (Sanjeev Kumar), 'Avtaar' (Rajesh Khanna) and 'Baghbaan' (Amitabh Bachchan) have been extensively shot with similar themes in India and duly rewarded by common audiences.

Director Razdan has tried to reinvent this noble concept by infusing murder mystery mushroomed in a mushy love story to make it more commercially viable. The film falters on many departments as this time he has targeted this film at family audiences. Razdan's earlier presentations were westernized bold subjects that highlighted extramarital affairs and lesbianism.

The screenplay holds attention in the first half with soul-stirring theme song coupled with some emotional scenes. The second half is a big let down where the crime angle is poorly conceived.

The plight of the senior citizens and the poor fate of the protagonist draws sympathy but inefficient characterizations make it an average affair. It might be recalled that 'Avtaar' and 'Baghbaan' were precise in their approach and succeeded critically as well as commercially. 'Umar' shows the filmmaker's benevolence and generosity towards senior citizens but poor narration and amateurish direction spoils the show.

'Umar' revolves around three aging and ailing old men -Iqbal (Kader Khan), Rajpal Singh (Satish Kaushik) and Chandrakant (Prem Chopra). All the three share one thing - isolation and ignorance from their children in old age. The film shows contrast between two sets of youngsters -- one who cares and respects elders and other who ill-treats them.

Unfortunately, all of them are ill-treated and share their painful and nostalgic moments. Shashank (Jimmy Shergill) is a happy-go-lucky but orphan boy who befriends them. His affectionate attitude towards elders makes him their hero.

Shashank has love interest Sapna (Shenaz Treasurywala), who hails from the affluent family of Prashant Lakha (Shakti Kapoor). Ben Chibar (Dalip Tahil) is influential British bureaucrat who wants Sapna to be her daughter-in-law at any cost.

Shashank is promoted from waiter to singer in a restaurant. Ironically, Iqbal, Rajpal and Chandrakant happen to be his compatriot there also. Under mysterious circumstances the restaurant owner is murdered and Shashank is framed for murder. In the climax the truth is revealed and the film ends on a promising note.

It sounds preposterous when a predictable murder mystery is infused in sentimental family saga unnecessarily when the viewers expect positive family show. The film neither caters to family audiences nor chills the pop genre with spine-chilling experiences. The film stands out as the finest combination of character artists of our times.

Kader Khan, Satish Kaushik and Prem Chopra show the dominating presence and hold the show throughout. The problem lies when poorly conceived script fails to collage with the theme and spirit of the film. 'Umar' will fail to connect with Indian audiences because the backdrop happens to be a foreign land.

The protagonists are NRI's who fight for their survival and dignity after being ill-treated by their children. The combination of Hindu, Sikh and Muslim characters shows the versatility of the characterizations and their chemistry impresses too.

Jimmy Shergill makes a promising presence as the lovable boy who fights for them and later gets sheltered after being falsely framed. The actor may not have been a bankable commodity but delivers the needful. MTV VJ Shenaz Treasurywalla fits into the character perfectly.

Despite her wooden and plastic looks she needs to improvise on her acting talents. Her promising debut opposite Shahid Kapoor in 'Ishq Vishq' hasn't landed her in the biggest banner but still she impresses in bits and parts.

Kader Khan delivers one of the finest performances of his life and stands out as the best among the veteran trio. The scene where he confronts his Muslim origin with the British officer deserves adulation. The emotional scene where the trio shares their suffering with each other is another major attention.

Despite his prowess in comical acts he shows outright dominance in this low profile tearjerker. Actor-turned-director Satish Kaushik shows his comical tinge in donning the character of an aged Sikh.

The proficient comical timing is perfect to create light moments in this sentimental family saga. Prem Chopra, the promising and dominating villainous character of yesteryears, surprises in the makeover of ailing and aging senior citizen. The combination works and delivers the needful but the script is major disappointment once again.

Jagjit Singh's soulfully rendered "Khumari Chad Ke" is thematically inclined and delivers the theme but the film fails to carry this till the end. Veteran singer Manna Dey makes his presence after decades with "Duniya Walon Ko..." and holds the attention.

If Razdan had stuck to his theme of the plight of the aging parents then this would have been a different story but the film fails to emotionalize the audience. Even the competent character artiste like Dalip Tahil is completely wasted. It might be recalled that it was the engrossing climax of 'Bagbhaan' and inspiring "spirit to live" concept in 'Avtaar' that bagged acclamation for the film.

'Umar' fails to deliver both, and derails from the noble concept completely. Despite some fine performances, the film fails to draw attention. It will be a slow starter in big cities and a big disappointment in small centers. It will be interesting to view how Karan Razdan's next 'Souten' fares at the box office as 'Umar' will prove to be an below average affair.