She received a Filmfare Award nomination for composing the songs for the huge hit film Souten (1983).
When he came to Bombay (now Mumbai) for some work in 1946 he by chance met Jaddanbai who was mother of Hindi film actress Nargis Dutt.
The popular music director O. P. Nayyar introduced Usha Khanna to Sashadhar Mukherjee, a powerful man in the Indian film industry at that time.
Some of songs sung by Mohammed Rafi under composition of Usha Khanna are in Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Hawas (1974), Saajan Ki Saheli (1981), and Aap To Aise Na The (1980).
Usha Khanna was married to Sawan Kumar Tak but later they separated though remained on good terms.
[6] Usha Khanna often took inspiration from Arabic music, which she liked and she claims that she has never lifted any song directly, but that she has composed something along the lines.
Some of the other movies she composed for are Shabnam, Aankh Micholi, Saajan Bina Suhagan, Souten, Sajan ki Saheli, Ab Kya Hoga, Lal Bungla, Dada, Do Khiladi, Hanste Khelte.