[2] His father bought a motel in San Bernardino, California and Patel grew up there.

He is best known for directing the short animated film Sanjay's Super Team (2015) inspired by Patel's own childhood.

[5] Since 1996, Patel has worked as an animator on numerous Pixar films such as Monsters, Inc. (2001), Ratatouille (2007), Cars (2006), Monsters University (2013), Toy Story 2 (1999) and The Incredibles (2004) and served as a character developer on the latter two films.

[7][8] Patel also created Ghee Happy, a brand that celebrates Indian mythology and culture through design and storytelling[9] and produces books, exhibits, and apparel.

Titled Bad Karma, the movie follows the young demon princess Chandra and the legendary demi-god Hanuman on an epic tale about courage, loyalty and an unlikely friendship.