Even Amitabh Bachchan could not make Dev rise above Hum Tum in the two most lucrative overseas markets, especially in the United Kingdom. Many fans felt that since they had recently seen him in a police officer's role in Khakee, they should save money and pass Dev, and watch him in Lakshya instead, where he plays an army officer.

The Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji starrer Hum Tum has remained on the top 10 chart in the UK for three weeks, coming down by about 32 per cent each week. Last weekend, it slipped from the sixth spot to the seventh with a $110,000 gross and took its three-week total to about $800,000.

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Despite Kareena Kapoor and a melodious score, Dev was an instant flop though it stood at tenth spot on the charts. It is not often that one finds two Hindi films on the top 10 UK charts but the actual figures showed that Dev had a poor opening. Its $70,000 gross on 25 screens was puny by any reckoning. It was significantly less than what Hum Tum had taken in its third weekend. It was more by default -- with many mainstream films doing mediocre business -- that Dev found itself on the top 10 charts.

Director Govind Nihalani's earlier film Thakshak was a no-winner abroad, and Dev follows in its footsteps. Its lacklustre performance comes soon after Aan, which at least had a solid opening in India, grossed less than $200,000 in North America and had a more disappointing UK run.

In North America, Hum Tum started off at number 21 on the charts and slipped near the 40th position, grossing about $750,000 in three weeks. But it may end its run just shy of the $2 million mark in both North America and the UK.

With Lakshya around the corner, Hum Tum's business will dip considerably. And Dev may pass into oblivion. Hum Tum, though, may continue playing on the weekends in a handful of theaters for many more weeks. It has become a popular date movie, especially with young desis and Trinidadians.

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