Instagram has found another way to turn familiar faces into something completely different. After the Studio Ghibli-inspired photo trend, users are now giving their pictures an 80s makeover, with AI transforming modern photographs into vintage-style college scenes.The trend has also caught the attention of South Indian cinema fans, with AI-generated retro images featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Trisha, and Sai Pallavi. Parvathy, Kalyani Priyadarshan, and Nayanthara have also appeared in similar creations.Unlike a basic vintage filter, these images change the styling, setting, and overall photography to create the look of an old college photograph or film scene.
South actresses get an 80s makeover
The AI creations place the actresses in casual campus settings, away from their usual contemporary celebrity appearances.The images are not based on any particular film or character. Instead, they follow a broader 80s college theme, presenting the actresses as young students.One such set was shared by the Instagram handle Promptgallery.ig, featuring AI-generated retro versions of South Indian actresses.
Acid-wash jeans and printed shirts
The outfits are one of the most noticeable parts of the trend.High-waisted acid-wash jeans are paired with tucked-in shirts and wide belts. The shirts feature different colours and patterns, including red, purple, pink, and white, with polka dots appearing in some looks.Large hoop earrings, wristwatches, and shoulder bags add to the styling.
Fuller hair and simple makeup
The beauty looks follow the same period-inspired approach.The actresses are shown with waves, curls, and prominent side-partings. The makeup remains relatively simple, with defined eyes, soft lips, natural-looking skin, and small bindis.
College walls, bicycles, and books
The locations help establish the setting without connecting the images to a particular movie.Old college buildings, weathered walls, and sunlit corridors appear across the creations. Some images also include bicycles, posters, and books.
Warm tones create the film-like finish
The final layer comes from the way the photographs are presented.Warm lighting, faded tones, and a film-like texture give the AI creations an older photographic appearance. The effect is designed to resemble the visual treatment associated with old photographs and films.
How to try the 80s AI photo trend
Users can experiment with the concept by uploading a photograph and using a simple prompt:“What would I look like in the 80s?”The image can then be transformed into an AI-generated version with an 80s-inspired appearance.
Why Instagram users are trying it
The trend gives people a chance to see familiar faces through a completely different visual lens.For South Indian cinema fans, the actress-focused creations add another layer of interest, combining recognizable celebrities with retro fashion, campus imagery, and old-style photography.After the popularity of Studio Ghibli-inspired AI images, the 80s makeover trend is offering Instagram users another nostalgia-led way to experiment with their photographs.Disclaimer: The images featured in this story are AI-generated creations shared on social media. The Times of India has not independently created, generated or tested these images or the AI prompts mentioned in the story.Thumb image: Instagram/@promptgallery.ig
