Teague Talks Podcast Teague Talks with the Directors of "The Patel Motel Story"
Jul 25, 2025
Filmmakers Amar Shah and Rahul Rohatgi dive into the untold narrative of South Asians in the U.S. motel industry, inspired by their personal connections to the hospitality business. They share how they transformed years of research and interviews into the impactful short film, highlighting the journeys of Indian motel owners like Kanji Manchu. The duo discusses the early challenges of funding, the importance of community support, and cultural ties that shaped their entrepreneurial paths, as well as their ambitions for a feature-length version.
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Origins Of A Motel Empire
- The film reveals how Indian immigrants entered and dominated the U.S. motel industry over decades.
- That origin story reframes a niche entrepreneurial success as a major American economic phenomenon.
Counter Kid Childhood
- Amar Shah describes growing up as a "counter kid" in his parents' gas station and motel-adjacent world.
- His childhood connections seeded the personal drive to tell the Patel motel story on film.
From Folklore To Documented History
- Research and personal networks revealed the depth of the Patel motel phenomenon beyond folklore.
- Access to AAHOA and archival research turned anecdotes into a documentary narrative.