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Google's latest AI innovation hit the scene on August 26, 2025, when the company unveiled Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, better known as Nano Banana, a powerful image-editing model integrated into the Gemini app. This tool quickly transformed from a tech update into a global sensation, with users flooding social media with creative edits that blend nostalgia, fantasy, and celebrity glamour. What started as simple 3D figurine generations has evolved into elaborate trends, drawing in creators from Mumbai to New York.
The sequence began quietly. On launch day, Google announced Nano Banana via its developer blog, highlighting its ability to edit images with natural language prompts while preserving key details like faces and objects. By August 28, early adopters shared basic experiments on platforms like Reddit and X, such as turning pet photos into miniature models. But the real spark came around September 1, when Chinese artist @ZHO_ZHO_ZHO posted a series of "OOTD" (outfit of the day) edits on X, using prompts to generate weekly fashion looks from a single phrase.
Momentum built rapidly. On September 4, Japanese users embraced the tool for whimsical creations, like @googlejapan's wedding photo turned into a figurine, which garnered over 7,000 likes and sparked international interest. That same day, Bollywood fans jumped in, with posts featuring edited images of superstar Shah Rukh Khan. One viral example from @sunnikbabi1 showed SRK in dramatic poses, captioned "The KING has arrived," amassing nearly 300 likes in hours.
The Saree Trend Takes Off
By September 5, the retro saree portrait trend emerged as the breakout hit. Indian digital marketer @nainikax shared Onam-themed saree edits, asking followers, "Onam की ये special saree swag कैसी लग रही है?" The post exploded with over 400 likes, inspiring a wave of similar creations. Users uploaded selfies and prompted Nano Banana to drape them in chiffon sarees with vintage backdrops, evoking 1990s Bollywood aesthetics.
Official responses came swiftly. Google's blog on September 13 detailed 10 example prompts for advanced edits, from pencil sketches to food art, confirming the tool's versatility. Meanwhile, media outlets like Hindustan Times reported on September 14 that the saree trend had become "Instagram’s latest obsession," with celebrities like Sonakshi Sinha and Neha Kakkar joining in.
Celebrity Selfies and Global Spread
September 12 marked a peak when selfies with celebrities went mainstream. Instagram user @_vinayshakya posted an AI-generated selfie with Shah Rukh Khan at London's Big Ben, using the prompt "Make this photo a selfie with Shahrukh Khan in London Big Ben." It spread like wildfire, followed by @moms_littleworld22's tutorial: Download Gemini, add image, select 'create images 🍌', and prompt "Add Shahrukh Khan taking a selfie with me."
The trend crossed borders. On September 15, Malayalam news site ThePrimeTime highlighted AI saree edits going viral on Instagram, while Marathi outlet Asianet News shared step-by-step guides. By September 16, outlets like Livemint and Indian Express documented the frenzy, noting feeds flooded with SRK selfies and saree transformations.
Immediate Impacts and Official Statements
As of September 17, the Gemini app topped the U.S. App Store, overtaking ChatGPT for the first time since its rival's 2022 launch. Google reported no major outages, but users noted occasional prompt limits for free accounts. In a statement to TechCrunch, a Google spokesperson said, "Nano Banana is designed to empower creativity safely, with built-in filters to prevent harmful content."
The immediate ripple? Social media engagement soared, with hashtags like #NanoBananaTrend racking up millions of views. Yet, as the tool processes over 500 million images in weeks, questions about data handling linger. For now, the focus remains on the fun—users continue sharing, from 3D pet models to fantasy maps.
What happens next in this AI whirlwind? Only time—and more prompts—will tell.
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