The decision was taken at a review meeting of the National Film Heritage Mission on Wednesday.

"We will soon issue a global expression of interest so that the work is up to international standards and state-of-the-art. The company that bags the project will require to suggest a revenue model so that the mission is self-sustaining after the plan period is over," an official who was at the meeting said.

The revenue models being discussed include one to charge for use of such films in publicity, film festivals and by researchers.

There are an estimated 9,000 films in the national archives but the I&B ministry also wants to restore and preserve the huge cache of such films in private labs.