The 3D version of the 1975 Bollywood classic "Sholay", which was slated to release on megastar Amitabh Bachchan's 71st birthday Friday, is now likely to release in January 2014. The makers wanted a "four-week window" for the film.

"We have requested cinemas to give us a four-week window. So, we are currently in talks with cinemas for a date in January," Jayantilal Gada, who is the presenter of the film, said in a statement.

The film is very significant for the makers, who have spent three years on the 3D project.

"It's an old film. We don't want to rush to cinemas for a one-week window because this is not like a 'Chennai Express' or any new film which gets a big opening," Gada added.

"Sholay", directed by Ramesh Sippy, is a landmark film in Indian cinema. It featured Dharmendra as Veeru, Amitabh as his friend Jai, Hema Malini, who played the effervescent Basanti and the late Amjad Khan, who played iconic villain Gabbar Singh.