Bal Thackeray summoned India TV's Rajat Sharma to Mumbai yesterday, over his channel's controversial casting couch sting operations.

According to sources, the two met at Matoshree yesterday, and though there was no official word on the outcome of the meeting, but it is learnt that Thackeray wanted Sharma to put an end to his channel's exposés, which have sparked outrage in Bollywood.

Earlier, Sharma said, Shatrughan Sinha called him on behalf of the film industry.

"He told me the whole industry is scared. I assured him I'm not against them, and told him there's no need to be afraid. I told him if Bollywood finds a way to solve the problem, I have no reason to run the sting operations. But they have to admit first that the casting couch exists."

Sharma, who flew down from Delhi yesterday morning, said before his meeting with Thackeray, "Let's see what he has to say. I'm not interested in pulling down Bollywood's pants for the sake of sensationalism."

He said he will end his sting operations on Bollywood if the film industry admits that the menace exists, and deals with it pragmatically.

Sharma is reluctant to admit to total number of stings his channel has up its sleeve.

"There were many. But I have no intention of telecasting them, provided the industry owns up to its responsibilities towards vulnerable youngsters and prepares a manual on dos and don'ts for newcomers. If the film industry refuses to admit that youngsters are exploited, I'll have no choice but to continue my sting operations."