Today’s episode of Mannat begins with the Khanna family bustling with preparations for a grand puja at their home. The matriarch, Shanti Devi, is in charge, but her focus is clearly on Meera, who has arrived early to ‘help’. Meera plays the part of the perfect, traditional girl, earning praise from Shanti Devi, while Mannat is pointedly ignored. When Mannat, who has been working since dawn, finally comes to the main hall, Shanti Devi scolds her for being late. Kabir witnesses his mother’s harshness but remains a silent spectator, his face etched with conflict.
Later, we see Mannat in the kitchen, diligently preparing the special prasad for the puja. She is visibly upset by the morning’s events but focuses on her task. Meera enters the kitchen, her smile hiding her sinister intentions. She engages Mannat in small talk and then, in a seemingly clumsy move, ‘accidentally’ spills a jug of water near the gas stove. While pretending to clean it up, she secretly loosens the gas pipe connector. With her trap set, Meera cleverly sends Mannat away, telling her that Shanti Devi wants her to wear a specific, hard-to-find saree for the ceremony.
The puja begins with all the family members and guests gathered in the living room. The priest starts chanting the holy verses. Kabir’s eyes search for Mannat, and her absence gives Shanti Devi another opportunity to complain about her daughter-in-law’s supposed irresponsibility. Meera seizes the moment, sitting next to Kabir and putting on a show of deep devotion.
Meanwhile, in her room, Mannat is frantically searching for the saree she was told to wear. Her search is interrupted by a call from her brother, Rohan. He sounds urgent, telling her that he has important ancestral property documents that require her signature immediately and that he is waiting for her just outside the house. Torn between the important puja and the urgent legal matter, Mannat decides to quickly meet Rohan and return. As she steps out of her room, a strong smell of gas from the direction of the kitchen hits her, and she immediately senses danger.
Without a second thought, Mannat rushes into the kitchen. She is horrified to see the gas leaking rapidly from the loosened pipe. Just as she reaches for the main gas valve to shut it off, a nearby lit lamp for the puja causes a spark. A small but frightening explosion erupts, engulfing the area in smoke and flames. The force throws Mannat back, and she falls to the floor, injured and coughing from the thick smoke.
The loud bang and the sight of smoke alerts the entire family. Kabir is the first to reach the kitchen, followed by everyone else. They are shocked to find the kitchen on fire and Mannat lying helpless on the floor. Before anyone can process the scene, Meera starts her performance. With fake tears, she screams, accusing Mannat of deliberately causing the fire to ruin the holy puja. She points out that Mannat was conveniently absent from the ceremony and must have done this out of spite. Shanti Devi, already biased against Mannat, immediately believes Meera’s story. She unleashes a torrent of accusations, calling Mannat a curse on their family. The episode ends on a dramatic cliffhanger, with Kabir staring, shocked and confused, at a devastated Mannat on one side and a crying, manipulative Meera on the other.
Review
This episode of Mannat was a masterclass in building tension and drama. The slow-burn plot, centered around the family puja, provided the perfect backdrop for Meera’s villainous scheme to unfold. The pacing was excellent, moving from domestic tension to life-threatening danger seamlessly. Meera’s character has been elevated from a simple rival to a truly menacing antagonist, capable of causing physical harm to get what she wants. Her cunning manipulation of Shanti Devi and her flawless ‘good girl’ act in front of Kabir were convincingly portrayed.
The highlight of the episode was undoubtedly the kitchen explosion scene. It was well-executed, creating a genuine sense of panic and peril without being overly dramatic. Mannat’s helplessness, coupled with the immediate and cruel accusations, created a powerful emotional climax. The final scene, which freezes on Kabir’s conflicted face, is a classic cliffhanger that effectively leaves the audience desperate for the next episode. The only minor critique is Kabir’s continued passivity. While his internal conflict is clear, viewers might be getting impatient to see him stand up for his wife. Overall, it was a high-stakes, gripping episode that has pushed the story into a much darker and more interesting direction.
Recap Points
- The episode centers around a special puja at the Khanna house.
- Meera creates a plan to frame Mannat by tampering with the kitchen’s gas pipe.
- A fire breaks out in the kitchen, injuring Mannat.
- Meera and Shanti Devi accuse Mannat of deliberately trying to sabotage the puja and harm the family.
Plot Twists
- Meera’s ‘accidental’ spilling of water was a cover to tamper with the gas pipe, revealing a more dangerous side to her character.
- An urgent call from Mannat’s brother, Rohan, pulls her away from the puja at the most critical moment, making her look guilty.
- The kitchen fire is not an accident but a calculated explosion intended to frame Mannat.
Predictions
- Kabir will initially be swayed by Meera and his mother, but he will eventually start investigating the incident himself and find evidence of foul play.
- Rohan’s involvement, even though indirect, will be crucial. He will likely help Mannat prove her innocence once he learns what happened.
- The tampered gas pipe will become the key piece of evidence that exposes Meera’s crime.