Okay I haven’t watched the episode but
From what I understand some people are upset that Mandar’s story is ending with him getting blackmailed with no explanation for his past
here’s the thing, after the backlash that they received, they found it best to just end his chapter
going into his past would require more episodes which everyone is literally opposing, they want him out
we can’t say we want Mandar to leave AND that we also want an explanation for his past!
And the blackmail story fits perfectly because the only way to take him down is to get proof of him pushing Aayi off, there is no other evidence they can find without extending that track
So everyone please be happy that Mandar is leaving and we are getting a new track!