Phil Karanja, known for his accomplishments in the entertainment industry, revealed that his journey to success was fueled by a determination to prove people wrong who had doubted his potential. In an interview with Lynn Ngugi on her YouTube channel, Karanja opened up about his struggles with education and the self-doubt that stemmed from his average academic performance.

Karanja explained that his grades became a source of contention with his parents, particularly his father. Although he had a wonderful relationship with his parents, they disagreed about his passion for sports and the arts. His father, like many others at the time, believed that there was no future in those fields and wanted Karanja to pursue a more conventional career path in fields like accounting or medicine.

According to Karanja, his father would often express doubt about the value of art, acting, and music, suggesting that the best he could hope for was to become a teacher. These constant reminders that he was not meeting the academic standards set by his sisters affected him deeply, causing him to question his worth and potential.

Upon completing high school and receiving an average grade, Karanja felt the weight of failure upon him. With everyone around him expecting him to amount to nothing, he made a firm decision to prove them wrong. He immersed himself in his passion for film, starting with scripting and directing church plays. The failure he experienced became a catalyst for his success.

When his parents questioned him about his future plans, Karanja confidently expressed his desire to pursue a career in film. He enrolled at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC), where he felt a sense of belonging and passion for the world of film.

Karanja acknowledged that the doubts and uncertainties he faced ultimately shaped his determination to succeed. His parents, unsure of how to support his aspirations, asked him what he wanted to do. His response was simple: "I want to do film." This conviction led him to KIMC and set him on a path towards fulfilling his dreams.

Reflecting on his journey, Karanja emphasized that the initial doubts and the perception of being a failure became the driving force behind his relentless pursuit of success. Despite the challenges he faced, he found solace in his love for film and remained focused on his goal to prove that he was capable of achieving greatness.