(July 15, 2025) Los Angeles-based composer Sparsh Verma is quietly building a global footprint in the world of media music. His work spans films, television, games, and independent music, but one project that stands out is Nezha 2 — China’s highest-grossing animated film of 2025 — where he played a key role as orchestrator. Now, he’s working with Brandon Roberts, the Hollywood composer behind Andor, the Star Wars spin-off series. As he moves between cultures and styles, Sparsh is shaping a sound that’s fresh, emotional, and rooted in his Indian identity — all while pushing the boundaries of what a global composer can be.
From YouTube Tutorials to Global Scores: Sparsh Verma’s Musical Rise
When he was just five years old, Sparsh started playing the piano mostly by ear, sitting at the keyboard with YouTube videos, pausing and replaying them, trying to figure out the notes just by listening. With ‘super supportive parents’ who encouraged him to take music seriously, he studied Mass Media and Music Production at the same time during undergraduate studies. “During that time, I really discovered my love for composing for media, how music could elevate storytelling and emotion when paired with visuals. That interest grew quickly and eventually led me to pursue an MFA in Music Composition for the Screen at Columbia College, Chicago. It’s an amazing program (ranked No. 1 by The Hollywood Reporter for 2 years in a row), and it really shaped me both creatively and professionally. It also gave me access to a global network of mentors and collaborators.” While he is based in LA, he shuttles to Mumbai, working on all sorts of international projects. “It has been a wild journey so far, and I’m honestly just excited to see what’s next,” he tells Global Indian.
Sparsh Verma
He started out composing for short films and student projects, and these early gigs were important in helping him figure out his voice as a composer. “They taught me how to really tell a story through music and how to shape my style around different genres, tones, and characters. My first big break came when I got the chance to write additional music for the Filmfare-winning composer duo Shivam and Anuj on Undekhi Season 2. That opened the door to more commercial work in Indian media, where I ended up working as an additional composer with some amazing names like Tushar Lall, Shivam-Anuj again, and Mangesh Dhakde,” he recollects.
At the same time, he was diving deep into orchestration, which he always loved and has worked on for both Indian and international productions. Some of his orchestration work has been recorded by major orchestras across Vienna, Budapest, North Macedonia, and even at Firdaus Studio in Dubai, which was set up by A.R. Rahman. “Those experiences really levelled up my understanding of texture, dynamics, and ensemble writing from a global perspective. Eventually, I got to take on the role of lead composer for a feature film that premiered at some major international film festivals. That project was huge for me, just having full creative control and being able to shape the score from the ground up.”
From Festival Films to Rolling Stone: A Sound That Travels Far
He has been part of some super-diverse, creatively fulfilling projects over the years. One of the big milestones was orchestrating Nezha 2, which ended up becoming China’s highest-grossing animated film in 2025. “That one was huge, not just because of the scale or visibility, but also because I got to work with an international team and be part of a story that was both culturally rich and super emotional. Besides that, I’ve composed for a bunch of award-winning short films and animated stuff, especially in the Chicago indie film scene. Those projects really helped me grow as a storyteller,” he says.
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On the indie side, he has released original music that blends cinematic textures, and one of those tracks got featured in Rolling Stone magazine. “That felt kind of surreal, like a ‘whoa, this is real’ moment. It was this validation of my voice as a composer outside the film world,” he adds. He won Best Keyboardist & Best Band at Mumbai Music Institute’s ‘War of the Bands’, which was judged by legends like Mohini Dey, Mohan Kannan, and Gino Banks. “That recognition meant a lot. All these experiences have really shaped me – creatively, professionally, and even just as a person. They have taught me to stay curious and keep pushing myself and, most importantly, to always come back to the emotional heart of whatever I am making,” he avers.
Learning from Legends: The Power of Creative Collaboration
Being a film composer is, at its core, about collaboration, and Sparsh admits that he has been incredibly lucky to work alongside some of India’s most respected composers, like Tushar Lall and Mangesh Dhakde. “These collaborations have not only helped me grow as a musician but also as a storyteller and team player. Both Tushar and Mangesh have been more than just collaborators; they have been mentors and friends. I have learnt a lot from their creative process, their attention to detail, and how they approach scoring Indian narratives with global sensibilities,” he avers. He has contributed to and written additional music for several of their projects, including Jo Tera Hai Woh Mera Hai, Sergeant, and Moorchang, among others.
Sparsh Verma
A big turning point came when he was invited to orchestrate for an album project by A.R. Rahman in collaboration with Khatija Rahman. “I was part of a team of orchestrators working to bring the album’s vision to life. The music was recorded at Firdaus Studio in Dubai, using some of the finest musicians there. It was one of those surreal, full-circle moments; being part of something connected to A.R. Rahman, someone I’ve admired for years, felt like a dream come true. I was also fortunate to work on a few smaller projects that followed from that initial collaboration,” he says.
Scoring Stories Across Cultures: A Vision That Goes Beyond Borders
Currently he is working with Brandon Roberts, an accomplished Hollywood composer whose recent credits include the Star Wars spin-off series Andor on Disney+. “Collaborating with someone of his calibre has been an incredible chance to grow, push myself, and gain fresh perspectives on storytelling through music, especially on such a cinematic scale. At the same time, I’m developing a series of independent instrumental pieces with musicians from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds. We’re blending cinematic, classical, electronic, and regional styles to create something fresh and globally resonant. These collaborations aren’t just musical experiments; they’re conversations between cultures. Through them, I hope to keep representing Indian talent in ways that feel authentic, forward-thinking, and creatively boundary-pushing,” he says.
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Verma is motivated by the power of storytelling through music and how a well-crafted score can deepen emotions, bring characters to life, and connect people across cultures. “I am inspired by composers who blend tradition with innovation, creating sounds that feel both timeless and fresh. Beyond individual figures, the collaborative spirit of the media industry, the chance to work alongside diverse creative minds, constantly pushes me to grow. A key life lesson I’ve learnt is the importance of resilience and openness. The path of any artist is rarely linear, and it’s filled with moments of doubt, rejection, and challenge, but you just must keep going and stay true to your artistic voice while also being flexible,” he opines.
Right now, his focus is on building a strong creative base in Los Angeles while staying connected to his roots in India. “One project I am especially excited about right now is Shirker, a short new film based in Chicago. I’m composing the score and experimenting with a fresh sonic palette tailored to its narrative and tone. It’s an exciting opportunity to craft something intimate yet bold,” he says.
Looking ahead, his larger vision is to inspire more Indian musicians and composers to explore the world of media scoring. “I want to be part of a growing global movement that celebrates Indian talent in cinematic music and encourages a deeper appreciation of this art form. Ultimately, I hope to leave behind a diverse and emotionally resonant body of work, one that reflects my artistic voice while contributing meaningfully to the evolution of film and media music on a global stage,” he says.
More Indian composers are now stepping into the global music space, scoring for international films, games, and streaming shows. Sparsh Verma is part of this shift — someone who started with student projects and now works on large-scale productions across continents. His path hasn’t been overnight, but shaped by hands-on learning, collaboration, and a sharp musical voice. As the world opens up to cross-cultural storytelling, Indian musicians like him are helping shape how that story sounds.
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