01What this prompt does
This is the wave that took over Indian Instagram in the last days of September 2026: ordinary selfies, rebuilt by Gemini's Nano Banana image editor as dramatic 90s Bollywood portraits — chiffon sarees floating in the wind, grainy film frames, jasmine-adorned hair, Raj Kapoor-era glow. Celebrities joined in (Sonakshi Sinha's retro makeover was posted by YouTube Creators India), and one creator's video about her AI saree edit went viral with millions of views. The format works because it is pure nostalgia + glamour in one tap: no shoot, no makeup artist, just a clear solo photo and a prompt.
02Tips to get the best result
- Use a clear, solo, front-facing photo — group shots and blurry selfies give messy edits.
- Swap the [CHOOSE ONE] blocks for a new look each time: black party-wear today, polka-dot tomorrow.
- If the face drifts, regenerate rather than editing — one clean pass beats three patched ones.
- Keep the result modest and flattering; skip heavy de-aging, which can look uncanny.
03How to use it (3 steps)
- Open the Gemini app (or website) and go to image editing — look for the banana icon.
- Upload your photo and paste the prompt above.
- Save the portrait and post it with the trend's audio so it rides the wave.
04Frequently asked questions
Is this safe? I saw a viral video about AI adding a mole that wasn't in the photo.−
AI image editors can hallucinate small details — one creator's video on the topic crossed millions of views and even drew police attention. The safe move: use only the official Gemini app or site, never upload sensitive photos to lookalike websites or unofficial apps, and treat every AI edit as shareable-the-moment-you-make-it.
Which app runs this — Gemini or ChatGPT?+
Gemini. “Nano Banana” is the nickname of its image-editing mode; look for the banana icon inside image editing. Image creation and editing is free for everyone in the Gemini app, per Google.
I'm a guy — can I still use this?+
Absolutely. The trend skews female, but the retro 90s film aesthetic works for anyone — swap the saree line for a retro kurta or bandhgala with the same grainy golden-hour treatment.
Updated on 29 September 2026 · Free to use
