'Slumdog' director Boyle helps movie's child stars

Danny Boyle, who directed critically acclaimed "Slumdog Millionaire", is helping the poor children who starred in his movie.

The movie was shot in Mumbai and some of the young actors were locals.

According to contactmusic.com, the director will hand over a trust fund to the children once they finish school.

Boyle revealed that he was distraught when he found out their living conditions.

He says: "Rabina (Ali, who plays a young Latika) and Azza (Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who plays a young Salim) were from very poor backgrounds. One night we heard a rumour that Azza's house had been demolished. Their house had been cleared; he lives in a slum and occasionally the council just bulldozes them. We sent people to try to find him, and they found him asleep on a car rooftop."

Boyle is now making certain that the children finish school. He wants them to continue their studies. "They're learning English, and they sent me birthday cards. I started weeping when I opened them."