Khan first appeared on screen as a child actor in his uncleNasir Hussain's filmYaadon Ki Baaraat(1973). His first feature film role came with theexperimental filmHoli(1984), and he began a full-time acting career with a leading role in the highly successful tragic romanceQayamat Se Qayamat Tak(1988). His performance in the film and in the thrillerRaakh(1989) earned him aSpecial Jury Awardat the National Film Award ceremony. He established himself as a leading actor of Hindi cinema in the 1990s by appearing in several commercially successful films, including the romantic dramaDil(1990), the romanceRaja Hindustani(1996), for which he won his firstFilmfare Award for Best Actor, and the dramaSarfarosh(1999).[4][5]He was also noted for playing against type in the critically acclaimedCanadian-Indian filmEarth(1998).