James Marsden: I'm open to really anything, including a Bollywood movie.
Michelle Monaghan: He can sing, though. So that's...
James: Is that a prerequisite? (To Michelle) You can sing too.
Michelle: No, I cannot sing. But thank you for saying that.
A fun conversation with Hollywood stars Michelle Monaghan and James Marsden, currently in India, discuss their new film The Best Of Me, and Bollywood.
It isn't everyday that Hollywood stars descend on Indian soil to promote a film, but when they do, they make sure they are hitting the right market.
Better known to Indian audiences as Scott Summers/Cyclops from the X-Men series, James Marsden costars with Michelle Monaghan, of Made of Honour fame, in Michael Hoffman's adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel, The Best of Me.
In a quick chat with Paloma Sharma, Marsden and Monaghan share their experiences.
Since The Best of Me is based on a novel, had you read the novel before or did you read it after you got the script?
Michelle: I actually didn't read it at all. I read the script and asked Nicholas and Michael Hoffman if I should read it. They said it wasn't necessary and they were very supportive of the screenplay as it was.
What did you think the first time you read the script?
Michelle: Well, I really liked the script. I've never done a love story before so I loved the idea to be able to do that for the first time, to just have something be very romantic and classic.
James: Like Michelle said, it was this really interesting story about this couple that has been apart for 20 years, looking back at this fractured relationship. It was an interesting role to play. In these types of films it's nice to just get in there and have it be all about the acting and not about the special effects or any of the other ornamental things.
Speaking of special effects, you are best known in India as Cyclops. Are you worried about whether the Indian audience will accept you as a romantic hero?
Michelle: (laughs) That was my concern as well.
James: I don't really worry about it. What I take from that is that I'm happy that there are people who know who I am and that they're fans. You always want people to enjoy your work. So it was really nice to be a part of the X-Men movies.
I'm very proud of them. It's a great group of people. But yeah, I understand it. If I wasn't me, then I probably thinking the same way. "Oh look, it's the guy from X-Men".
James, you’ve played Lon Hammond, Jr. in The Notebook, which was another adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel, so did you consciously choose to do The Best of Me?
James: I’m not planning any more at the moment but... I don’t know. I’d hate to overstay my welcome in these types of movies. But I wouldn’t rule anything out.
Have any Bollywood producers or directors approached the two of you?
Michelle: Not yet.
James: But we haven’t been here very long, so...
Are you open to doing a Bollywood film?
James: I'm open to really anything. I've learned not to speak in absolutes.
Michelle: He can sing, though. So that's...
James: Is that a prerequisite? (To Michelle) You can sing too.
Michelle: No, I cannot sing. But thank you for saying that.
You have to be able to dance.
James: Really? (To Michelle) Then you’re more qualified than I am.
So have you managed to learn any Hindi words yet?
Together: No.
James: I was reading something online last night, though. Just some general terms.
Michelle: The only words that I know are the ones I've seen on a menu. Like aloo is potato.
James: (laughs) Aloo gobi. Smart.
How has your experience with Indian food been?
Michelle: I’ve had no problem, and I’ve had a lot of it. So it's been alright in my book.
James: I haven’t had a proper meal yet. My flight got in very late last night. So I’m looking forward to lunch and then I’ll let you know.
So what’s your favourite dish?
Michelle: Well, I had something only yesterday. I can’t remember the name but it was so good. It was chickpeas. But they were fried really quickly and made really spicy. Oh my gosh, it was so good!
I’ve never had that before. I loved that. I also love anything with chicken or lamb that’s really spicy.
Hollywood actors rarely come to India to promote their films. So what brings the two of you here?
Michelle: Well, there’s this amazing collaboration between B4U and Relativity.
It’s a unique opportunity for them, in terms of broadening cinema for India with American films and vice versa; and personally, I’ve never been to India. So it was a really amazing opportunity to come to India and experience this city, the culture, the food. It’s been wonderful.
Have you been to India before?
James: This is my first trip. Sadly it’s going to be a short visit. I wish I could stay longer and see more. (To Michelle) You got here early.
Michelle: I did, I got here three days ago. So it’s been really nice. But we’re going to head home tomorrow night.
But if you did have the time to go sightseeing, what would you like to see?
James: I would like to see somebody who knows the city and take me somewhere I need to go. I would just want to find someone who knows where to take you.
I’d say, "I'm up for anything. Just show me."
You're doing a film on a story written by the God of all hopeless romantics. In your personal lives, are you...
James: (to Michelle) You take this one.
...hopeless romantics as well or are you more practical in love?
Michelle: I’d say I’m a little bit of both. I think I’m pretty romantic. But I’m pretty pragmatic as well.
James: There’s romance in pragmatism.
Michelle: There is! I have both feet on the ground but (laughs) they’re both in really red slippers.
James: It’s like saying that I don’t believe in love at first sight but... I’m probably a romantic in the same way. We’re just slowly realising how much of a carbon copy we are of each other.
Your film is called The Best of Me, so what is the best part of the two of you?
Michelle: I think I can speak for James as well when I say that we both have a really good sense of humour. I think we both have a lot of fun, which is probably why we enjoyed making the movie together so much; and since it's a really emotional movie, I think that aspect is really important.
James: I think the same. I think Michelle possesses this really wonderful capacity to enjoy -- be it food or culture or life -- and I always like being around those types of people.
I like to think that I am that kind of person as well. 
Are there any behind the scenes secrets you could share with us?
Michelle: He’s a really good guitar player!
So did you go about strumming your guitar on set?
James: Well, it is a Nicholas Sparks movie. (laughs) So there are some things that need to be in place.
No, they just had a guitar backstage and I was bored, so I was just fooling around.
What’s your dream role? If you could play anyone, anywhere, doing anything, what would you choose?
Michelle: You know, (turns to James) you’ve probably heard me say this a thousand times. But I really want to do stage.
Something contemporary, with an ensemble cast. But I really love the idea of doing something live. It is completely frightening to me, but that is what I love.
James: (to Michelle) Any role specifically?
Michelle: No, no, just something contemporary.
James: I think it's less about the specific role or project, but it’s definitely theatre. It's exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
Michelle: Wanna do it together? (laughs) We’ll just hold each other’s hand.
James: We’ll do a A Street Car Named Desire or a Tennessee Williams thing. But it will definitely be a challenge.
