British director Danny Boyle has requested the media to leave the young stars of "Slumdog Millionaire" alone as he feels constant attention is ruining their lives.

Azharuddin Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali, 9, were catapulted into the limelight following the global success of "Slumdog Millionaire". But both kids have been hit by scandal and tragedy since they became famous.

Ali's father was quizzed by Indian police over allegations that he attempted to sell his young daughter for 200, 000 pounds although he has since been cleared of the claims.

And Ismail's father was forced to apologise to the press after he was seen beating his son just days after the film's Oscar glory in February.

Boyle is convinced the children's sudden fame is responsible for the incidents and he has asked the media to leave the pair in peace.

"The parents are good people who love their children. All the pressure and tension on the family is media-dominated and there has been a lot of miscommunication because we live in London and have only been able to read the news stories from afar, " said Boyle.