Modeling

While in his first month in St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, Khan was spotted by director Shyam Benegal, who at that time headed an Ad-Film concern. Khan did his first ad-film for him, the product being Colgate Toothpaste. Followed by a string of assignments, including Gold Spot, Bombay Dyeing, Arvind Mills, and Nescafé, with some top names in the advertisement world such as Zafar Hai, Pradeep Kakkad, Kailash Surendranath and Agencies like Lintas, H.T.A., Frank Simoes, Bensons, Chaitra, Trio Films, and Everest. He was further auditioned and selected by Jeannie Naoroji and Hilla Sethna, of the fashion industry. Khan made his debut in the fashion show world, on the occasion of the opening of the Oberoi Sheraton, now known as Oberoi Trident, in Mumbai.

After his first fashion show, he joined the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. After returning to Mumbai, he was signed by Reliance Industries, a then-new company for the ONLY VIMAL campaign. Khan continued to appear in fashion shows, working with Vimla Patil, Salome and Nazir Mitha, Shanti and Sangeeta Chopra on circuit show for Femina, Eves Weekly, S. Kumars, Vimal. Bombay Dyeing etc.

Acting

Recruited by a producer, Khan signed on for his debut film while still at the F.T.I.I. His first film was Apradhi Kaun?. It collected 100% at the box office in the first week, but was not much heard of in Bollywood, being a small budget film. Nevertheless, Javed was labeled as "the heartthrob" and won the Most Promising Newcomer of the Year Award along with other felicitations from critics, film journalists, clubs and fan clubs in small centers. Then came Chambal Ke Daku, with real dreaded dacoits Madho Singh and Mohar Singh playing themselves. Cheekh, Qatil Aur Ashiq, Khooni Mahal, Khofnak Mahal, Ram Ki Ganga, Paanch Fauladi, Kafan, Ghar Aakhir Ghar Hai, Kabrastan, Amavas Ki Raat and Aaj Ka M.L.A.. with Rajesh Khanna and Shabana Azmi are some of the films Khan has done as a leading hero. He was also seen in a very brief appearance in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, starring Rani Mukerji.

Khan shifted his focus to television. He played Tej Singh, in Chandrakanta. He further portrayed some other characters in serials like Yug, Betaal Pachisi, Zee Horror Show, Nagin, Fasana, Main Dilli Hoon, Ramayan and The Trap. He played the character of Maharaja Puru in the serial Shakuntala on Star One.

Khan launched an acting academy in 2004 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh by the name of Glamour Zone—Javed Khan's academy of acting and modeling. The academy was inaugurated by the Cultural Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Laxmikant Sharma^[1] and the first convocation ceremony of the academy was done by the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Babulal Gaur.^[2] The academy has on its advisory council, Ravi Chopra, David Dhawan^[3] and Roshan Taneja among others. Over 100 students have successfully completed the training.^[4]