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.
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.
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.”
