Dev Patel-Freida Pinto's romance surprises Danny Boyle

London, November 7: Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle was amazed to learn that his film's co-stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are dating.

The two actors met while filming the Oscar-winning picture, but kept denying rumours of a real-life romance before finally going public with their relationship over the summer (09).

Boyle says he was surprised, as he didn't notice any sparks between the pair on the movie set.

"I was a bit surprised at first, but then those things tend to pass me by!... I'm delighted for them, they seem to be real soulmates and I'm sure more than that," the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

“I'm very happy for them - it seems lovely," he added.