Kingsley was taught smoking cannabis with fake pot for 'The Wackness' role
30 Jun 2008, 1638 Hrs

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New York, June 30 (ANI): Film director Jonathan Levine says that he had to teach Sir Ben Kingsley how to smoke cannabis for the latter's role in his film 'The Wackness', though using a fake joint.

"I had to teach him how to properly hit a bong," the New York Daily News quoted the writer/director as saying at the Cinema Society screening of the movie.

The film is dark comedy about dealing pot in New York in the '90s, and it depicts Kingsley as a pothead therapist.

Levine said that Kingsley took on the role because "versatility is my middle name. I've got to surprise people, and I've got to surprise myself."

His younger co-star, Josh Peck, said: "It's surreal watching Method Man pass a fake joint to Sir Ben Kingsley. But the fake pot smoked on the set was bad. It just burned your throat and had no effect. It was a total gyp, dude!"

As to what was packed in the joints, Levine said: "It's kind of like herbal tobacco. It doesn't taste great or smell great, either. I felt bad for everyone's lungs." (ANI)