Drafting an inspiring story about a teacher who manages to tame even those on the verge of delinquency will naturally tug on a certain emotion. Just that the number of films that have blindly lifted this formula renders this one to be almost formatted if not clichéd.

The film ticks every question it hopes to raise — if every female goes through it, why should it lead to embarrassment or even taint one as ‘apavitra’? But it barely alters the squeamish attitude many hold against the routine discomfort biologically assigned to all womankind. And this is where R Balki slips. It was a noble cause for sure, if only the makers would have soaked up some of the melodrama.

Anurag Kashyap fans may be a bit disappointed here. The filmmaker who doesn’t hold his blows, seems constricted in telling this story. Not that there aren’t enough bloody noses and hammered eyes, but the overall treatment seems to be tweaked for universal appeal. There are scenes which scream Kashyap, but it’s a ‘milds’ version of the filmmaker.

Ribbon makes one realise several things about the world around us — jobs have become demanding beyond decency, maternity leave is a career killer and an inconvenience at best and trust no one with your minor child. But despite all the ills inflicted upon us, it summarises with the predictable message that if we band together, we’ll get by.

Unlike many Bazmee films, this one’s low on slapstick and heavy on sappy emotion. It’s almost like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…meets No Entry. And while this blend lends the film substance, being uncharacteristic of the maker’s style makes one feel like a victim of false advertising.

Director Kabir Khan admitted in an interview that the objective of this cinematic tribute was to make the inspiring story accessible to a larger audience. And while Salman fans across the world would make for a substantial target, inflicting them with this preachy tale of leaning on ‘yakeen’ to get through life could be a tad misleading. But then again, we’re addressing hardcore Bhai fans, who feel that hanging one’s shades over the back of one’s collar is the path to ultimate glory.

Given the premise the first one set, this one was poised to be a big reveal for reasons that led to Kattapa’s supposedly heinous act. But the flashback he narrates is engaging enough to serve as a suitable distraction and by the end of this film, this reveal is of little consequence.

While this would qualify as an average watch, in a cricket-crazed nation like ours, this hagiographic tribute serves as the highlights of an iconic match — packed with best shots, wickets and commentary to match.

This film makes one think of the benefits the Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat campaign could derive if a small part of it were assigned to the cleansing of our minds.

This could’ve been a breezy love story but it takes itself too seriously and ends up like a masala khichdi with aspirations of being a risotto.