Born in 1949, Khanna started her Kathak training when she was just about 7 by Pandit Birju Maharaj. She was born in Benaras and was introduced to Bollywood under the suggestions of actresses Padmini and Vyjayanthimala.

Khanna debuted as an actress in the 1961 Bhojpuri film Bhaiyya when she was just 12. She got her break in 1970 when she played a cabaret dancer in Johnny Mera Naam. She often played dancers, appearing in films like Loafer, Jaan-E-Bahaar and Pakeezah in which she acted as a double for Meena Kumari during mujra numbers. In the 1980s, she played Queen Kaikeyi in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan which aired on Doordarshan.

In 2008, she choreographed and acted in a musical based on the epic Ramayana with 64 actors and dancers at Avery Fisher Hall, New York City, directed by her husband, Jagdish L. Sidana.^[1] She also directed a Bhojpuri film, Nahir Hutal Jaya (2004).^[3]

She was married to the late film director Jagdish L. Sidana.^[1]

Television

• Pehchaan (2006) on Hum TV
• Taank Jhaank on Sony TV
• Ramayan as Kaikeyi on Doordarshan
• Metha Zaher on Doordarshan

Hindi films

• Biwi Aur Makaan (1966)
• Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai (1966)
• Heer Raanjha (1970)
• Johny Mera Naam (1970)
• Seema (1971)
• Pyar Diwana (1972)
• Rampur Ka Lakshman (1972)
• Pakeezah (1972) (in the song "aaj hum apni duaon ka asar dekhenge" she is dancing in veils in place of Meena Kumari)
• Saudagar (1973)
• Joshila (1973)
• Anokhi Ada (1973)
• Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973)
• Loafer (1973)
• Hera Pheri (1976)
• Pappi (1977)
• Lakhan (1979)
• Jaan-E-Bahaar (1979)
• Anubhav (1986) (1986)
• Ghar Ghar Ki Kahaani (1988)
• Yaar Meri Zindagi (2008)

Bhojpuri films

• Bhaiya (1961)
• Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (1962)
• Bidesiya (1963)
• Balam Pardesia (1979)
• Basuria Baje Ganga Teer (1986)
• Dharti Maiya
• Mai (1989)
• Dagabaj Balma
• Bahuria
• Godna
• Tulsi Sorhe Hamar Angna
• Kajari
• Rangali Chunaria Rang Me Tohar
• Bhauji De Da Aacharawa Ke Chao
• Bhaiya Dooj
• Hey Tulsi Maiya

Gujarati Films

• Gher Gher Maati na chula (1977)

Punjabi films

• Jindri Yaar Di (1978)
• Sher Puttar (1978)

Marathi film

• Devta (1983) - Guest appearance for only one song "Khel Kunala Daivacha Kalala"
• Maaficha Sakshidar (1986) - Guest appearance for one song "Shama Ne Jab Aag"