Background
She was born in Benaras and was introduced to Bollywood under the suggestions of actresses Padmini and Vyjayanthimala.
She was born in Benaras and was introduced to Bollywood under the suggestions of actresses Padmini and Vyjayanthimala.
She appeared mainly in Hindi and in the 1970 and 80s. In television, she is most remembered for her role in movie "Saudagar" with Amitabh Bachhan & also as Queen Kaikeyi in Ramanand Sagar"s epic series Ramayan (1987–1988). Born in 1949, Khanna started her Kathak training when she was just about 7 by Pandit Birju Maharaj.
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-East-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. She also directed a Bhojpuri film, Nahir Hutal Jaya (2004).