This Diwali, Let AI Do the Lighting: Try These 10 Google Gemini Prompts for Cinematic Festive Portraits
Diwali 2025: A new nostalgic AI trend is sweeping social media, with users leveraging Google Gemini Nano Banana to transform their festive selfies into retro, 90s-inspired Diwali portraits. Featuring classic Bollywood aesthetics from traditional sarees and kurta-pyjamas to glowing diyas and sparklers, the results blend vintage charm with cutting-edge tech. Here’s a step-by-step guide and 10 curated prompts to help you create your own AI-generated Diwali throwback.
10 AI Prompts to Transform Your Selfies into Cinematic Diwali Portraits:
If you're unsure about where to begin or what to write, we have 10 Diwali prompts along with an easy guide to assist you in crafting your own personalized festive style. Take a look:
Prompt1: Courtyard of Sparks
"Woman in a crimson saree with gold embroidery, sparkler glowing in one hand, diya in the other, standing barefoot on a rangoli-covered courtyard lit by lanterns. Add soft film grain and dreamy bokeh."
Prompt 2: Studio Diwali, 1995
"Retro portrait in a vintage Indian studio, woman seated in a red-and-cream lehenga, classic gold jewelry, diya in lap, posed against a velvet curtain backdrop. Warm tungsten glow, grainy filter."
Prompt 3: Glow in Her Hands
"Close-up of a woman in maroon saree, holding a diya close to her face, eyes glowing with light reflection. Add retro color grading, soft background with fairy lights and smoke trails."
Prompt 4: Painted Light
Inspired by hand-colored Diwali photos, woman in traditional attire, standing in lantern-lit doorway, soft golden tones, slight motion blur on sparkler, background like a painted Diwali postcard.
Prompt 5: Firecrackers & Silk
Woman twirling in silk lehenga (cream with gold threadwork), dupatta in motion, sparkler tracing light in the air, fireworks glowing behind her. Vintage Bollywood frame styling.
Prompt 6: Silent Celebration
Solo portrait in a dimly lit room with oil lamps, woman in deep red saree, sitting cross-legged near a thali of diyas, reflective, soft grainy glow mimicking old printed photos.
Prompt 7: Postcard from Diwali
Retro-styled image with a woman smiling in red saree, sparkler mid-motion, background filled with marigold garlands and string lights. Washed-out textures like a 90s Diwali postcard.
Prompt 8: Golden Threads
Close-up of jewelry and embroidery, woman in lehenga with zari work, bangles shimmering, light from diya casting shadows across her face. Add subtle grain and sepia warmth.
Prompt 9: One Frame, Thousand Lights
Group portrait, three women in traditional outfits lighting diyas together, surrounded by fairy lights and smoky ambience. Frame with classic 90s film aesthetic.
Prompt 10: Her Light, Her Festival
Powerful solo portrait, woman facing camera with diya in hand, eyes fierce and hopeful, sparkler trail behind her, modern-meets-vintage fusion look, golden-hour glow.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Diwali AI Portrait
Step 1: Pick Your AI Tool: Use Google Gemini Nano/Advanced (Pixel or Web), Midjourney, Ideogram, or Bing Image Creator, just make sure it accepts selfies + text prompts.
Step 2: Choose a Style: Pick your vintage vibe: 70s Bollywood glamour, Classic studio portrait, Old postcard or painted-photo style, Retro film grain with Diwali glow
Step 3: Take a Good Selfie: Use a clear, front-facing photo with good lighting. No filters, let the AI do the styling.
Step 4: Write the Prompt
For Example: “Create a vintage Diwali portrait of a [man/woman/person] in a [saree/kurta-pyjama], with soft golden lighting, retro textures, and subtle Diwali lights in the background — inspired by 1970s Indian studio photography.”
