ABOUT
About Stuart DaCosta — Film Composer & Music Producer, Mumbai
Audio Assassin. Mercenary for Music.
I'm a film composer, music producer, and bassist based in Mumbai. Most people know me from Gully Boy (2019) — I scored that as part of Salvage Audio Collective, a production company I co-founded and have since departed. I also play bass in The Yellow Diary.
My work covers films, OTT series, advertising, and art installations. On the film side: Gully Boy, Yeh Ballet, Shabaash Mithu, Guilty. OTT: Indian Predator on Netflix, Whack Girls, Inaam. For advertising I've written music for brands including Cadbury, Boost, Carmesi, Spinny, and Havmor. I've also scored long-form pieces for Nalini Malani — shown at the National Gallery of Scotland, dOCUMENTA 13, and currently in Venice.
“I DON’T MAKE MUSIC. I BUILD SONIC ARCHITECTURE.”
I also direct live music. I've worked with Dino James, Taaruk Raina, and Outstation, among others.
Gully Boy grossed over ₹240 crore worldwide. Nalini Malani's 'In Search of Vanished Blood', which I scored, spanned 10,000 sq ft of the National Gallery of Scotland.
I trained at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music and used to work out of Cotton Press Studio on Elphinston Road, Mumbai.
TIMELINE
2014
EDUCATION
Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music
Diploma in music performance — bass, theory, and production. Where I learned the craft from the ground up.
2016
BAND
Co-founded Salvage Audio Collective (departed)
Production company started with fellow Swarnabhoomi alumni. We won an Asian Music Award and a Filmfare Award before I moved on.
2017
ART
Nalini Malani — dOCUMENTA & National Gallery of Scotland
Composed long-form music for 'In Search of Vanished Blood', which spanned 10,000 sq ft of the National Gallery of Scotland after its dOCUMENTA 13 debut.
VIEW →2019
FILM
Gully Boy — Original Score
Composed the score during my time with Salvage Audio Collective. The film grossed over ₹240 crore and became a cultural moment for Indian hip-hop.
VIEW →2020
FILM
Yeh Ballet — Netflix
Score for Sooni Taraporevala's narrative film about two boys from Mumbai's slums chasing classical ballet.
VIEW →2020
FILM
Guilty — Netflix
Score for Ruchi Narain's drama on consent and complicity, set in an elite Indian college.
VIEW →2022
FILM
Shabaash Mithu — Film Score
Biopic on cricketer Mithali Raj. Score balances biographical warmth with sports-film tension.
VIEW →2022
OTT
Indian Predator: Butcher of Delhi — Netflix
True-crime docuseries score. Tonal restraint over genre-typical aggression.
VIEW →2022
BAND
The Yellow Diary — Sony Music India
Joined as bassist for the alternative pop-rock five-piece signed to Sony Music India. 455K+ monthly Spotify listeners.
VIEW →2023
OTT
Indian Predator: Beast of Bangalore — Netflix
Second installment in the Indian Predator anthology. Continued the restrained scoring approach from Butcher of Delhi.
VIEW →2025
ART
Nalini Malani — Of Woman Born (Venice)
Long-form score for Nalini Malani's Venice Biennale piece. Continues a multi-year collaboration with the artist.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Stuart DaCosta known for?
Stuart DaCosta is a Mumbai-based film composer known for scoring Gully Boy (2019), Yeh Ballet (2020, Netflix), and the Indian Predator docuseries (Netflix). He is also the bassist of The Yellow Diary, an alternative pop-rock band signed to Sony Music India with 455K+ monthly Spotify listeners.
Who composed the score for Gully Boy?
Stuart DaCosta composed the score for Gully Boy (2019) as part of Salvage Audio Collective, a production company he co-founded and has since departed. The film, directed by Zoya Akhtar, grossed over ₹240 crore worldwide.
Who is the bassist of The Yellow Diary?
Stuart DaCosta is the principal bassist of The Yellow Diary, a five-piece alternative pop-rock band from Mumbai signed to Sony Music India. He joined the band in 2017.
How can I hire Stuart DaCosta?
You can submit an inquiry at studirt.com/contact. Stuart reviews every inquiry within 48 hours and follows up if your project is a fit.
What kind of music does Stuart produce?
Stuart produces film scores, advertising music (Boost, Carmesi, Havmor, and more), OTT content, sound design, and live music direction. His work spans cinema, commercial campaigns, immersive art installations, and independent music.
What is The Yellow Diary?
The Yellow Diary is a five-piece alternative pop-rock band from Mumbai, signed to Sony Music India. Known for poetry-infused rock with electronic soundscapes, the band has 455K+ monthly Spotify listeners and key tracks include Marz, Rab Raakha, and Roz Roz (ft. Shilpa Rao).
WORK WITH STUART
Have a film, campaign, or project that needs a sonic identity? Let’s talk.