Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane has joined the viral “Hug My Younger Self” trend powered by Google’s Gemini Nano Banana feature, which has taken social media by storm.
The trend allows users to generate AI-crafted images of their present selves embracing their childhood versions, resulting in a touching blend of nostalgia and creativity.
Taking to Instagram, Mawra shared a series of AI-generated images featuring her younger self. In a heartfelt caption, she wrote, “I love this trend… I’ve always looked at my younger self and been able to appreciate everything we’ve learnt & unlearnt along the way… and most importantly we’ve helped each other heal and continue to do so… I often hear myself address my younger self lovingly when I see a picture of myself… I am not her yet her & I are the same. P.S. grateful to my fanfam for creating this, best fans in the world please stand up.”
The feature, available on the Google Gemini app, has become widely popular across Pakistan and India. Users can participate by uploading a current photo and a childhood picture to the app, and entering a prompt such as “click a cute polaroid picture of my older self-hugging my younger self.” The AI then generates an emotional portrait within seconds.
Gemini’s growing popularity has pushed it to the top spot on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, surpassing even OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The app’s viral features, especially on platforms like Instagram and X, have driven its rapid rise in downloads.
In India, several celebrities have also engaged with the trend. Actress Alia Bhatt shared an AI-generated image of her younger self with the caption, “Sometimes we just have to reach out and hug our inner 8-year-old. Thank you for this one,” adding, “I can’t. The younger one would be so proud today.”
Other stars including Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, and Priyanka Chopra have been featured in similar fan-made images.
However, the trend has also sparked debate over digital rights and the unauthorized use of celebrity likenesses. Reports suggest that Bollywood figures like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Karan Johar are considering legal action in response to AI-generated content created without their consent.
Many Pakistani social media users are also concerned that the images could be used for wrong purposes.