Slumdog sets British box office record

- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant           Let us know what you think about this story

London, Jan 21 (PTI) After reaping a rich harvest in the Golden Globe awards, British director Danny Boyle's 'Slumdog Millionaire' has enjoyed the most successful second weekend for a film in the UK box office. According to reports, the film, based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's novel 'Q&A' and set in the slums of Mumbai, took 2.6 million pounds last weekend, up a record 44 per cent from its opening weekend earnings of 1.8 million pounds.

Most films post their highest takings in their first weekend with receipts then dropping off in subsequent weeks, but 'Slumdog Millionaire' has built up momentum thanks to near-universal positive reviews and a spate of awards and nominations.

Previous "sleeper" hits have included 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' (up 10 per cent in its second weekend), 'Calendar Girls' (5 per cent) and 'Billy Elliott' (13 per cent).

The film won four Golden Globes including best picture, best director for Danny Boyle, best young actor for 18-year-old Dev Patel and best original score for A R Rahman.

It has received 11 Bafta nominations and been tipped for more success at the Oscars, despite opening behind US teen comedy 'Role Models' in its opening week in the UK.

Slumdog took top spot in last weekend's cinema chart ahead of Will Smith's new film 'Seven Pounds', with 'Role Models' dropping to third place.

The film tells the story of Jamal, an uneducated boy from the slums who finds the solutions to a television quiz show's questions by recalling events from his poverty-stricken past.

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