"Slumdog" rises to top of UK box office

British director Danny Boyle speaks during a news conference for his new film ''Slumdog Millionaire'' in Mumbai January 20, 2009.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oscar hopeful "Slumdog Millionaire" has made it to the top of the British box office after its second week on release.

Director Danny Boyle's film, which won four honors including Best Drama at this month's Golden Globe awards, opened in second spot last week, despite a wave of publicity.

But the story of a Mumbai boy searching for love through a TV quiz game took 2.6 million pounds over the weekend, more than last week's 1.8 million, to take top spot, according to Screen International on Tuesday.

Redemption movie "Seven Pounds" was new at two with Will Smith as a man with a secret trying to help seven strangers.

Down at three was last week's No.1, U.S. comedy "Role Models," with Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott as a pair of minor felons acting as mentors to young offenders.

Horror movie "My Bloody Valentine" made its debut at four, while Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway battling over a double-booking at the altar in "Bride Wars" were down two places at five.

Disney talking-dog movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" was new at six while Bond actor Daniel Craig slipped three places to seven with his portrayal of a World War Two Jewish resistance leader in "Defiance."

Mickey Rourke came in at eight as Randy "The Ram" Robinson in "The Wrestler," the story of a fading fighter trying to get back into the big time.

Jim Carrey's comedy "Yes Man," fell from five to nine while the animals of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" were down three places at 10.

(Editing by Paul Casciato)