Crossword Genius

A poor actor backing Sunak as guru? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maharishi

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'guru?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a poor actor backing sunak' is the wordplay.
'poor actor' becomes 'ham' (ham can mean a bad or over-the-top actor).
'backing' says the letters should be written backwards.
'sunak' becomes 'rishi' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'ham'='aham'
'aham' backwards is 'maha'.
'maha'+'rishi'='MAHARISHI'

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maharishi that I've seen before include "Hindu sage and scholar" , "Hindu instructor" , "Religious teacher" , "Spiritual teacher" , "Hindu spiritual leader" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Telegraph.
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