Harman Aggarwal is the director of short film Fees. Punjabi Mania spoke to him recently about his film and future plans. Below is the extract of his interview.

Q1. Tell us about your short film “FEES”?

It’s a story of 8 years old girl struggling for her basic needs from family and society. Her father even does not bother to pay her school fees. Her mother and teacher cannot do more except sympathy.

Q2. How long did you take to complete this project and what were the expenses?

This film did not take much time and we completed it in 3 months. In fact I worked on the script while I was shooting for HHIL (Hero Hockey India League) for Star Sports.

As short films do not pay anything back so I couldn’t spend much money. Actually I wanted to make it 2015’s cheapest short film. I succeeded what I promised to my producers Aman Deol and Ravinder Brar. We spent 37500 rupees only. But we did not compromise with the quality.

Q3. Where are you planning to screen your short film?

Well, as I made this film for PIFF so the world premier is taking place this May 17 in Toronto. After that I am planning for multiple screenings in Punjab, along with my first short film “Zindagi a life of kinner”.

I kept its duration under 8 minutes, because in today’s busy life people easily can spare few minutes for a social cause too. In addition to it, very soon after screenings we will release it on social networks. Especially on whatsapp, so with smart phone it can be forward from one to another. This will help it reach larger audience.
Q4. How did it occur to you to make a film with a social message?

I lived all my life in a village and have seen many rough realities of life, as Indian society differentiates with girls. But Now India has changed. I wanted to do some efforts to make people aware of it. Like girls should be treated equally. The only way I could do it, was films.

FEES is my second short film after “Zindagi a life kinner”. So sometime between my sport shoots when Sunny Gill bhaji from Toronto asked me to make a short film under 10 minutes for PIFF Competition. So I started searching for a story. But I did not wanted to spend much money. I needed a kind of story with social message and easy to make.
Someone introduced me to Bhupinder Jaitu and I chose FEES. But it was too short (only one line story). I discussed it with my Guru Ji Shri Balwinder Hali and he suggested me to add some more shots to enhance the massage.

Q5. Tell us about your experience in the film industry?

I started my carrier in 2005 as a Reporter which later changed into Cameraman, after working few years in Top National and International channels in Delhi, my long term interest into filmmaking encouraged me and I made efforts for making my first short film Zindagi a life of kinner in 2010 under my own production company Aggarwal Films.

This was the first mile stone in my filmy career. It gave me the chance to work for Punjabi films. I assisted Ravinder Ravi ji for pre-production of “Aapan Fer Milange “and Jeet Matharu for “Kudesan”.

I worked with Parmjit Sandal under production for Hindi feature film “Panjo” as an Executive Producer.

I am going to debut in feature films with Nishawn Bhullar and Harbhajan Maan starrer “Suhe Phull”. Its shooting was completed last year.

Q6. Will we be seeing more short films with social messages from you in the future?

Yes definitely, Bhupinder Jaitu have written many beautiful short but meaningful stories with social causes. I am receiving lots of other good stories too.

Soon we will start web series of short films. Many of my friends extended their hands to sponsor us.

Q7. Do you think of making a featured film in the future?

Of Course, There are 2-3 feature films projects in the pipeline already. On