[1] The film explores the expectations surrounding marriage in the Patels' first-generation Indian immigrant family and in wider American society.

[5][6] Neither Ravi Patel, a 30 year old small-time upcoming actor, nor his sister are married, to the chagrin of their parents Vasant (Financial planner) and Champa (an accomplished match-maker and real estate agent), who had an arranged marriage.

On a family trip to India (during "wedding season") he agrees to make a serious effort to find a partner, alternating between a matchmaking process of dates with Indian-American women from among the Patel clan based in Gujarat by circulation of biodata sheets; registering with Indian marriage websites, identifying potential mates by evaluation and through extended family relations, and matrimonial ceremonies & conventions.

The film was produced by Janet Eckholm and Geralyn Dreyfous along with PBS and received funding from the CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting).

The site's critical consensus reads, "Meet the Patels works on multiple levels, offering an affably entertaining documentary about one man looking for love while posing thoughtful questions about cultural assimilation and modern romance.