Home to snowy Himalayas to breathtaking waterfalls and lakes, idyllic Sikkim is seeking to become yet another location for Bollywood filmmakers.

Nestled in the midst of the eastern Himalayas and home to the world's third highest mountain, Mt. Khanchendzonga, the picturesque hill state is yet unexplored and a virgin land, having all the exotic elements sought for making Hindi movies, says Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling.

"We are ready to extend all logistic support and facilities to filmmakers from Mumbai willing to shoot in Sikkim," tells Chamling in an interview.

"We can provide helicopters and arrange all other infrastructure support, including heritage hotels and ropeways. We also have attractive hillocks, rivers and lakes."

From exquisite Buddhist monasteries to ornate temples and caves, besides facilities for rafting, Sikkim fits into the scheme of things for being a perfect Hindi film shoot location.

As part of its campaign to attract filmmakers, the government plans to make a visual presentation -- showcasing the state's scenic beauty, exotic orchids and flowers and other facilities -- before a select group of film producers and directors in Mumbai.

"We want to let them know that Sikkim can be an alternative to Switzerland in terms of natural beauty," Chamling said.

"Moreover, filmmakers should have some nationalistic and emotional feelings while scouting for film locations. Why go to a foreign land when you have better locations in your own country?"

Already, several Bengali movies are being canned in Sikkim with directors and producers from West Bengal making a beeline to this mountainous state.

One of Bollywood's best-known actors, Danny Denzongpa, hails from Sikkim, which merged with the Indian union only in 1975.

"We have been trying to rope in filmmakers from Mumbai. Sikkim has the potential to become one of the best locations for films," said Ugyen Chopel, a well-known filmmaker from Sikkim.

Chopel, initiated into filmdom by his uncle Danny, has directed several Nepali movies, besides Hindi TV serials.

Jahnu Baruah, the internationally acclaimed filmmaker from Assam, is currently shooting a Hindi film in Sikkim.

"Normally, filmmakers fake Jammu and Kashmir by filming in Himachal Pradesh. We decided to shoot in Sikkim as the topography and surroundings are akin to those in Kashmir, if not better," said Baruah, who is set to make his debut in Bollywood.