Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto, who's riding high on the Oscar success of the film, has been roped in to star in Woody Allen's new flick.

In an interview to U.S. morning news programme Today, the 24 -year-old star credited director Danny Boyle for landing a role in three-time Oscar winner Allen's new venture.

The film would also star British actress Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins and Josh Brolin. The shooting of the film is expected to kick off during summer this year.

"Yes, it begins in July. So thank you, Danny Boyle, for helping me take off, " the Daily Express quoted her as saying. Slumdog Millionaire swept the Oscar by winning 8 awards including the Best Film.

Also confirming this, her sister, Sharon Pinto, who works as a television producer, said, "Yes, Freida has been cast in a film to be directed by Woody Allen, but she is also very busy with her agent in Los Angeles to work out her acting agenda. Currently she is overstressed with all the interviews, the media barrage."

Woody Allen, one of America's iconic directors has made such classics as Annie Hall, Crimes and Misdemeanours, Husbands and Wives and Bullets Over Broadway.

Once married to Mia Farrow, the couple had a messy divorce, when Allen was discovered to be having an affair with one of their adopted daughters.

Despite this casting coup, Pinto is shying away from the Indian media currently. "The last two weeks have been difficult for Freida with all the speculation about her personal life in the media. Some details have been very unsavoury and traumatic for her, and the family at large. Currently she is sleeping and catching some rest in Los Angeles. Also it being Oscar week, she has been in and out of interviews.

We try to keep in touch with her, but then I always have to Google what the LA time is, for she might be asleep! I think it's time to let her be, " said sister Sharon, insisting that Freida have some privacy.