Dhyan Chand deserves Bharat Ratna: Nana Patekar

Hockey legend Dhyan Chand should have been the first to get Bharat Ratna if it was to be given to a sportsman, Bollywood actor Nana Patekar said Monday.

Nana Patekar was here to take part in the GV Mavlankar Open National Shooting Championship at the Central Reserve Police Force Academy at Kadarpur.

Sachin Tendulkar is the first Indian sportsman to be honoured with the country's highest civil award.

"Awards like Bharat Ranta should be given to those who have done a lot for the country but got nothing much in return. Major Dhyan Chand deserves it," Patekar told IANS.

Players of modern times are playing more for money rather than for their county, he said.

Asked about "Padma Shri" awarded to him, the actor said: "I don't know and do not understand why it was given to me. I perform in Bollywood and get money for my work."