AI retro photos go viral on Instagram; Chennithala and Sivankutty join trend

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Open Instagram or Facebook these days, and it may feel like you have travelled back to the 1980s. Retro fashion and hairstyles have taken social media by storm, with people recreating their photos in the style of different decades using AI tools such as ChatGPT.

All it takes is a present-day photo and the right prompt to transform it into an old-school portrait. Celebrities and political leaders are also joining the viral trend, sharing their AI-generated retro looks on social media.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Minister O.J. Janeesh and former minister V. Sivankutty have all shared their transformed photos on their social media pages.

Want an ’80s-style look?

Prompt: Create an authentic 1980s high-school yearbook portrait from the uploaded selfie, keeping the person's face, features and expression exactly the same. Restyle only the hair, makeup, clothing, lighting and background to match the era.

Want a ’70s-style look?

Prompt: Transform my photo into a 1970s retro portrait. Give me a classic ’70s disco look with wide-collar patterned shirts, voluminous retro hair, warm vintage colour tones and a grainy film photograph texture typical of the 1970s.

Want a ’90s-style look?

Prompt: Recreate my photo in a 1990s aesthetic. Style me with classic ’90s alternative fashion, casual denim or flannel textures, a nostalgic ’90s hairstyle and a slightly muted Polaroid camera photo finish.