In the film, “Meet the Patels,” Ravi takes on the quest to find a partner with the same background as him. Although the movie is considered a documentary, Ravi jokes about it being a home movie because of the reappearing boom mic and shaky frame in some scenes. However, the story is not just about Ravi’s love hunt, it also shows the culture of their ancestors.  It visualizes the newer generation’s struggle with finding a partner to “meet” the cultural requirements of Indian marriage.

On the Patel yearly family trip to where Vasant and Champa Patel were wed, the question of marriage is brought up once again to Ravi and Geeta.

“Think of that annoying person who is always up in your business,” said Ravi in the film, “Now imagine an entire village full of that person.”

In their original village, his mother was seen as a matchmaker. Yet, this “matchmaker” cannot find the right “one” for her own children.

Geeta records every bit of Ravi’s one year journey, even the parts where she is told not to. Doesn’t that just make it better? Through every up, and mostly downs, Ravi talks about the pros and cons of finding his “perfect” woman. Just like every Rom-Com, the ending is exactly what would be expected. Overall, “Meet the Patels” is about the journey, not the destination. This documentary is available on Netflix and most movie-streaming services.