Through the early 1960s and 1970s, he made low-budget thrillers opposite starlets. In 1962, he appeared in an English-language film titled "Tarzan Goes to India" opposite Simi Garewal. His first big hit was in 1965, with Phani Majumdar's "Oonche Log" (1965), where he was pitted against screen idols Raaj Kumar and Ashok Kumar; he gave a notable sensitive performance. It was followed by more small budget hit films like "Samson", "Ek Sapera Ek Lootera" and "Char Darvesh". Again, in the same year, he played a sacrificing lover in the mushy musical "Arzoo", starring Sadhana. With this, Khan started to receive A-list second leads. With the film "Aadmi Aur Insaan" (1969), Khan won his first Filmfare award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. His other hit films were "Khotey Sikkay", "Geeta Mera Naam", "Pyasi Sham", "Shankar Shambhu" and "Safar". He appeared alongside his real-life brother Sanjay Khan in the hit films "Upaasna" (1967), "Mela" (1971) and "Nagin" (1976).