Why Not Watch?
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Filmed by Geeta V. Patel, the sister of Ravi – an almost-30-year-old Indian-American who enters a love triangle between the woman of his dreams and his parents –in what started as a family vacation video, MEET THE PATELS is a hilarious and heartbreaking film about how love is truly a family affair.
Director: Geeta V. Patel, Ravi V. Patel
Share this film. Spread the word on this entertaining ride of a documentary! The film’s website offers a whole host of ways to let others know of this laugh-aloud look at arranged marriage and the American model of finding love.
Read about This Bar Saves Lives – a charity working to end severe acute malnutrition that Ravi Patel is one of the founding members of. Consider buying a delicious snack bar.
Remain open to other’s values. Whether you were born into a family where arranged marriage is status quo or finding love as an individual is modus operandi. Educate yourself on other traditions.
Reflect on the most important relationships in your life and take steps to be honest, fearless, and loving in dealing with them.
Think you know which of the Patels best represents your character? Take this quiz to uncover just where you stand within the landscape of Patels.
“You carefully type up a profile, taking care to sound fun, awesome but also so busy enjoying yourself that you can barely find time to date. You list your wants and needs, post a flattering photo or five (one with a tiger from that time you went on safari), and you hope someone clicks…”
Continue reading on the Washington Post.
“HollywoodChicago.com presents our lively interview with the hilarious stars of the new cinéma vérité documentary ‘Meet the Patels’.”
Read about it here.
“Scientists believe they’ve discovered a simple formula for happy relationships. Reader, I tried it.”
Read the story on the Huffington Post.
Read the story on Fusion.
Patels or Patidars comprise some 20 percent of Gujarat’s 63m strong population, but their reputation extends far beyond the north western state in India.
Read the full article on IBT.
Our interview with Geeta and Ravi V. Patel
“During my two plus decades living in the United States, I have seen many changes occur in my native India. The country eradicated the scourge of polio, sent a rocket ship to Mars(link is external) on a shoestring budget, built modern highways crisscrossing the country, and flexed its economic muscles, raising tens of millions of people out of poverty. One phenomenon that hasn’t changed, however, and continues to puzzle and intrigue many people (including me) is the institution of the Indian arranged marriage.”
Continue reading on Psychology Today.
Read the article that explores an interesting contradiction in a culture that highly values both marriage and individualism here.
