The accusations further complicated life for the families of the slum-dwelling child stars, who have come under intense scrutiny since the film skyrocketed to Oscar-winning fame and grossed more than $US300 million ($428 million) worldwide. Director Danny Boyle cast children from the Indian slums to make the film more realistic.

Khurshid Begum, the estranged mother of Slumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali, filed a complaint with Mumbai police on Sunday after the News Of The World reported that Rubina's father, Rafiq Qureshi, planned to put her up for adoption.

The British newspaper received a tip that a wealthy family from the Middle East had approached Mr Qureshi to adopt her for a price.

A second deal was allegedly then offered by two of its reporters posing as a wealthy family from the United Arab Emirates, who met the family twice at a five-star hotel in Mumbai.

The newspaper - which is owned by News Corporation, which also owns Slumdog distributor Fox Searchlight Pictures - said Mr Qureshi was demanding the equivalent of $573,000. "They should be punished," Ms Begum said. "No father should dare sell his daughter."

Police took Mr Qureshi and Rubina from their slum home to a police station for questioning.

Mr Qureshi denied the report: "They have made false allegations about me and tried to frame me."

He claimed he was promised cash if he gave up his daughter. "But I refused," he said.

The News Of The World story says Mr Qureshi and his brother-in-law asked 20 million rupees for Rubina.

Police said they were investigating. "There are claims and counterclaims made by the mother and the father," an officer, Nishar Tamboli, said.

The newspaper quoted Mr Qureshi as saying that Hollywood was to blame for forcing him to give her up for adoption.

"We've got nothing out of this film," Mr Qureshi said. "I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

Associated Press