MUMBAI: James Cameron recently unveiled an 18-minute footage from his new 3D version of the 1997 blockbuster hit Titanic. The 1997 disaster epic is in the process of being converted into 3D at a cost of USD 18 million.

Among the footage that was screened include the Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater‘s (Kate Winslet) encounter on the Titantic‘s grand stairwell, their kiss on the bow of the ship and its sinking."There are certain films that aren‘t being brought back to the theater. There is a whole generation of people who haven‘t seen it at all," Cameron has been quoted to have said. The director said that there would be no changes to the content of the film.

Titantic grossed $ 1.84 billion worldwide and won 11 Oscars, including those for best picture and best director. It is the second highest grossing film of all time next to Cameron‘s own Avatar that grossed nearly double that amount.

Cameron also said that while he is typically very much against converting traditional films into 3D, he believes the conversion enriches the film.I totally believe 3D is an enhancement for the dramatic scenes not just the big action," he added.

The new version of the film is due to be released on April 6 next year.