Patel and Pinto deny dating rumours

'Slumdog Millionaire' stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto have denied their onscreen chemistry has blossomed into a real life romance - insisting they are not dating.

The pair play childhood sweethearts in the Oscar-winning movie, and their close friendship away from the cameras recently prompted rumours of a relationship.

And gossip spiralled after Pinto, 24, was alleged to have ended her engagement to fiance Rohan Antao earlier this month, paving the way for her to date 18-year-old Patel.

But both actors have now dismissed the romance rumours as fiction.

Pinto says: "No we are not. We're not dating, no." While Patel adds: "Of course, no, we're not seeing each other."