Director Phil's Biography, Age, Spouse, Tribe, Real Name, Networth and Lifestyle Wikidata | Claim this profile

Director Phil's Biography in Summary

Philip Karanja is a former Tahidi High actor best known for his role as Melvin in the Citizen TV show. He has made an impressive transition from actor to successful filmmaker and co-founder of 'Phil-it,' Kenya's leading production company.

Philip Karanja is happily married to actress Catherine Kamau, whom he describes as his "perfect partner" outside of his professional endeavors. He treasures their deep friendship and shares their happy times together.

WoK delves into his journey in the television industry, the formation of his company, and his rise from making little as an actor to making millions as a film and television show director.

From Actor to Director 

Philip Karanja, best known as an actor on the popular TV show Tahidi High, has forged a new path in the entertainment industry. While acting was a means to an end for Philip, his true passion was directing and filmmaking. He'd always wanted to make things and bring his imaginative world to life.

Making a Living as an Actor

Philip recalls his early acting days, when he earned a meager Ksh 500 per episode on Tahidi High. 
 

"As we progressed into the main acts, our pay increased to Sh3,000 per episode."  

We were earning Sh20,000 per episode by the time I left the show in 2011," the award-winning producer added.

The pay as an extra was low, but it was a stepping stone to his ultimate goal. As his role on the show grew in importance, so did his earnings. Philip, on the other hand, knew that his true calling was behind the camera.

Creating Phil-it - Creating a Production Company

Philip co-founded Phil-it, a production company aimed at bringing fresh and captivating content to Kenyan audiences, with his co-actors Abel Mutua and Bob Muriithi.

Despite numerous obstacles, the team persisted, investing their personal resources in shooting concepts and pilot projects. Their perseverance paid off when they won their first major contract in 2016.

The producer found his stride and began making waves in the industry after transitioning from acting to directing.

One of the production company's significant milestones came at the Kalasha Awards, where their shows Sue na Jonnie and Hullaballoo Estate received critical acclaim. Their hard work and creativity were recognized, and the company's success began to skyrocket.

According to Business Daily, Netflix is considering acquiring the rights to Philip and Abel Mutua's production, Click Click Bang.

If the agreement is reached, Netflix will pay an impressive sum of 60,000 USD (Sh8 million) for the exclusive rights to rerun the film for two years.

The announcement follows the successful premiere of Click Click Bang, which grossed Sh9 million when Philip and Abel independently distributed the film.

Over 2,500 Kenyans eagerly paid Sh1,000 each to watch the film within three days of its release, indicating its popularity.

Personal Pride - Two Successful Shows in a Row

Philip is particularly proud of the shows he has worked on's back-to-back success, particularly with Abel Mutua. For over a decade, the duo has worked together to create popular TV shows such as Mother-In-Law, Hapa Kule News, Real Househelps of Kawangware, Hullabaloo Estate, and Sue na Jonnie. Their consistent success has cemented their position in the Kenyan television industry.

Acting and directing must be balanced.

Although Philip has primarily focused on directing, his passion for acting has not faded. He makes cameo appearances in shows like 'Sue na Jonnie' on occasion. Acting is an important part of his journey, and he hopes to return to the screen in the future as a regular feature.

Overcoming Difficulties - Risk and Rejection

Building a production company from the ground up is not without its difficulties. During its early years, Phil-it Productions faced numerous rejections and financial risks.

Many ideas were rejected, and it took them several years to land their first major job. However, their unwavering faith in their craft and perseverance led to success.

Film/TV Training and Talent

Philip received his film training after three years of study at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication. While talent is important, the knowledge and skills gained through formal training have been critical to his success as a director.