After making his debut in 1968, Khanna first acted in small roles or negative roles. His angry young man role in the movie "Mere Apne", his negative role as the main villain in the superhit movie "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" and his role in the crtically acclaimed movie "Achanak" based on the events of the popular case " K. M. Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra", as the military officer turned fugitive. 