Actor in Polanski's first film (6)

I believe the answer is:

player

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'actor' is the definition.
('player' can be a synonym of 'actor')

'polanski's first film' is the wordplay.
'polanski's first' becomes 'p' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'film' becomes 'layer' (I've seen this before).
'p'+'layer'='PLAYER'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for player that I've seen before include "Batsman perhaps" , "Actor; sportsman" , "Important participant" , "Partaker in game" , "Active sportsperson" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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