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        The crass and mass Tamil cinema, with its accent on tempo-filled masala moments, has little time for the leisure and the laidback feel of short stories.

        But the cliche-filled Kollywood is now trying to flip over a new page.

        Suddenly short stories and novels have become the flavour as movies go a for a new muse.

        Thangar Bachan is directing Onpathu Rupai Nottu inspired by his novel of the same name. It stars Sathyaraj and Archana in lead roles.

        Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's Ulyin Osai, based on a short story, is being made into a film. Inspired by the lives of a sculptor and a classical dancer, the movie stars Vineeth in pivotal role.

        Lyricist Pa Vijay will play the lead in a movie titled Thai Kaviyam. It is an adaptation of Maxim Gorki's Russian novel The Mother. The Tamil version has been penned by Karunanidhi.

        Noted cinematographer Raviverman is all set to make a foray into direction with a movie tentatively titled Moscowil Kaveri, which is again inspired by a novel.

        Why a sudden liking for literary works? Says director Susi Ganesan, who is also an author in his own right (his book was titled Vaakapatta Boomi): 'it is not something new. Even in the past several moves were churned out of novels. None can forget classics like Parthiban Kanavu or Thillana Mohamanambal.'

        But Susi has some words advice those making movies out of books. 'It demands immense home work. To recreate the same aura and magic on screen is no easy job.'

        According to a prominent distributor, 'when Harry Potter can become a big hit globally why not a Tamil novel be made into good cinema? They have to choose a good story and right characters accordingly.'

        Says lyricist Pa Vijay, who plays the lead role in Thai Kaviyam, 'I have great responsibility on my shoulders to perform the title role in this acclaimed novel. My involvement in the movie s more since it i adapted from a novel, read and cherished by many'.

        Welcoming the new trend, popular comedian Vivek said, 'film-makers should be more cautious not spoil the originality of the novel. It's essential purpose has to be retained'.