Google’s Gemini-powered “Nano Banana” AI tool has become India’s hottest social media phenomenon, flooding Instagram and other platforms with millions of AI-generated images. What started as innocent fun creating 3D figurines has evolved into four major viral trends, but concerns about privacy and security are growing as an IPS officer issues stark warnings about potential scams and data misuse.
The Four Viral Nano Banana Trends Dominating Social Media
1. The 3D Figurine Trend
The original Nano Banana craze transforms ordinary selfies into glossy, plastic-like 3D figurine portraits with oversized expressive eyes and cartoonish proportions. Users upload a simple selfie and watch as AI creates a toy-like version of themselves, complete with shiny skin textures and exaggerated features that resemble collectible figurines.
2. The Saree Trend: Bollywood Glamour Goes Viral
The most popular iteration reimagines portraits into glamorous retro-style saree looks with cinematic backdrops reminiscent of classic Bollywood posters. Instagram feeds are now flooded with chiffon sarees, flowing drapes, and golden-hour lighting as millions try this vintage transformation. The trend creates 90s Bollywood-inspired portraits with dramatic poses, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors.
3. The Pre-Wedding Couple Trend
Couples are using Nano Banana to create romantic pre-wedding style photographs with cinematic lighting and dreamy backdrops. The AI generates intimate couple portraits with soft romantic lighting, flowing fabrics, and movie-like compositions that rival professional photography studios.
4. “Hug My Younger Self” – The Heartwarming Trend
The newest viral sensation allows users to virtually meet their childhood selves. By uploading both present and childhood photos, users generate heartwarming images of their current selves embracing their younger versions. This nostalgic trend has struck an emotional chord, creating touching moments across social media.
Popular prompts include:
- “Using my present photo and my childhood photo, create a realistic and heartwarming image where my current self is hugging my younger self. Make sure both faces and features are preserved accurately so the resemblance is clear”
- “Take a photo taken with a Polaroid camera… Make it look like both the people in the reference picture are hugging each other”
How to Create These Trending Images
Step-by-step process:
- Install Google Gemini App or log in via browser with your Google account
- Upload a clear photo (selfies work best according to users)
- Enter specific prompts for your desired trend
- Generate high-resolution images with various artistic styles and lighting effects
Google previously allowed free users to create 100 images daily while Pro and Ultra subscribers got 1,000 images daily. However, the company has now updated its policy with vague limits stating that “free users may be restricted before paid users” if capacity changes.
The Creepy Side: When AI Gets Too Real
The trend took an unsettling turn when Instagram user Jhalakbhawani shared a disturbing experience. After generating a saree image from Nano Banana ai, she discovered the AI had added a mole on her left hand that wasn’t visible in her original uploaded photo but actually exists on her real body.
“How did Gemini know that I have a mole in this part of my body? It’s very scary and creepy,” she wrote, sparking widespread debate about AI’s unexplained ability to generate accurate personal details.
This incident raises critical questions about:
- What data AI systems access beyond uploaded images
- Potential facial recognition matching with online photos
- Drawing from broader personal information databases
IPS Officer’s Stark Warning: “Money Can End Up with Criminals”
Indian Police Service officer VC Sajjanar issued a comprehensive warning about the Nano Banana trend’s risks. In translated posts on X, he cautioned:
“Be cautious with trending topics on the internet! Falling into the trap of the ‘Nano Banana’ craze can be risky. If you share personal information online, scams are bound to happen. With just one click, the money in your bank accounts can end up in the hands of criminals”.
Sajjanar specifically warned against:
- Fake websites or unofficial apps mimicking Gemini’s platform
- Sharing photos or personal details with unauthorized services
- Data theft that becomes “very difficult” to recover once compromised
He emphasized that “trends come and go, but once someone’s data is uploaded on a fake website, it’s hard to get it back”.
Also Read: Indian Business Leaders Rush to Adopt AI as 90% See 2025 as “Pivotal Year”
Technical Safeguards and Their Limitations
Google implements SynthID invisible watermarking and metadata tags to identify AI-generated content, but experts highlight serious limitations:
“Nobody thinks watermarking alone will be sufficient,” said Professor Hany Farid from UC Berkeley’s School of Information. The detection tools for SynthID aren’t available to the public, meaning regular users cannot verify authenticity.
Ben Colman, CEO of Reality Defender, noted that watermarking “sounds noble but fails in real-world applications when they can be easily faked, removed or ignored”.
Essential Safety Measures:
- Avoid uploading sensitive or intimate images
- Strip metadata like location tags before sharing
- Check app permissions and revoke unnecessary access
- Use low-resolution images instead of high-quality originals
- Read privacy policies carefully to understand data usage
- Use protective tools like Glaze and Nightshade that add “noise” to prevent AI scraping
With over 500 million images generated since mid-September 2025, Nano Banana represents unprecedented scale in consumer AI adoption. The trend highlights the tension between creative innovation and privacy protection in India’s rapidly digitalizing society.
The viral nature demonstrates Indians’ enthusiasm for AI creativity, but the security warnings underscore the need for digital literacy and caution. As IPS officer Sajjanar concluded: “Your data, your money—your responsibility”.
While these trends offer entertaining creative possibilities, users must balance fun with fundamental privacy protection in an era where AI capabilities increasingly outpace public understanding of the risks involved.
