Crossword Genius

Papers theatrically exaggerate revolutionary Muslim leader (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mahdi

'muslim leader' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'papers theatrically exaggerate revolutionary' is the wordplay.
'papers' becomes 'id' (identification papers).
'theatrically exaggerate' becomes 'ham'.
'revolutionary' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'id'+'ham'='idham'
'idham' written backwards gives 'MAHDI'.

(Other definitions for mahdi that I've seen before include "Prophesied Islamic leader" , "Future great leader of Muslims" , "Sudanese leader" , "Spiritual leader" , "Muslim leader who is to appear in the last days" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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