Meet Megh Patil | Writer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megh Patil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megh, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I don’t think I’ve ever had balance—and honestly, I love that. I’m incredibly persistent, especially when it comes to proving myself. My family isn’t from the film world, so I’ve always felt the need to show them I’m not just chasing a dream—I’m building something real. Somewhere along the way, that persistence turned into passion, and then obsession. I couldn’t think of anything other than developing scripts.

Sometimes my family thinks I’m being selfish when I get lost in my own world and dodge social obligations. And maybe I am. But I’m stuck in this odd little sandpit—trying to prove something to them while also just genuinely loving what I do. So for now, I’m embracing the imbalance. Maybe one day I’ll find equilibrium, but right now, I’m happily out of balance and breathing movies.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At the heart of my work is a deep curiosity about relationships—especially the complicated, often absurd dynamics between parents and children. I’m drawn to the unspoken expectations we carry, the societal scripts we inherit, and the quiet ways people disappoint or surprise each other.

My approach to storytelling is about making the audience feel exactly what the character feels in the moment. Whether it’s discomfort, longing, or the absurd humor of a messy relationship—I want the emotion to land truthfully. I don’t try to tie things up neatly. I just stay honest and let the mess breathe.

Getting here wasn’t easy, and I’m still figuring it out. I didn’t grow up around the industry, so it’s been a lot of trial and error, a lot of doubt. I worked on sets, made mistakes, rewrote scripts over and over, but kept showing up.

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how patient you can be. I keep telling myself that it’s a marathon- you gotta enjoy those downs as much as the ups. And I don’t need to have all the answers—I just need to be honest with myself.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work, it’s that I’m not here to shout. I’m here to listen, observe, and tell stories that make us sit with the uncomfortable, the funny, and the deeply human parts of ourselves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
’ve only been in LA for about nine months, and most of that time I’ve been holed up at AFI. But if a friend came to visit, I’d use it as an excuse to slow down and actually enjoy the city a bit.

We’d start at Sabor y Cultura in Hollywood—great vibe, solid coffee, and it feels like a place where stories want to be written. Camel, right across from the Vista, is another favorite. And we’d definitely catch a 35mm print at the Vista.

One afternoon would be spent wandering around La Luz De Jesus Gallery. Easily the best bookstore-gallery space I’ve been in. Weird, beautiful, oddly specific—you walk in and suddenly you’re interested in everything.

We’d end the week down in Newport Beach. My childhood friend Jay lives there. We’d go to the beach, have some clam chowder, play FIFA and… yeah that’s good for a week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this to my grandfather, Ashok Aher. He passed away a few months ago, but he was a silent pillar of support throughout my journey—especially when others thought my dreams were just a phase. When I was working as an assistant director, he was the one who pushed me to go to film school. He was over the moon when I got into the American Film Institute for my Master’s.

I don’t know if I ever showed him enough gratitude while he was here, but he always had this quiet smile and unwavering belief in me. A true legend. Even though he’s gone, he’s kind of stuck with me now—as this calm, steady fuel in my engine. I guess he won’t let me rest until I do something truly significant… like direct an Indian A24 film.

Instagram: @patil_megh

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megh-patil-413b63310