A new social media trend is capturing hearts, and Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has joined in. The “hug my younger self” trend is currently popular on Instagram and X, where people use AI tools to create touching images of their present selves hugging their childhood versions.
This trend is powered by Google Gemini’s AI image-generation tool called Nano Banana. It allows users to upload a childhood photo and write a simple prompt to generate a realistic, polaroid-style picture showing their current self interacting with their younger self. The result is a sweet, emotional image that many are using to reflect on growth, memories, and self-love.
Alia Bhatt recently joined the heartwarming trend, much to the delight of her fans. A fan page created a sweet edit showing Alia embracing her eight-year-old self, accompanied by the caption, “I can’t, the younger one would be so proud today.” Alia shared the image on her Instagram story, adding, “Sometimes we just have to reach out and hug our inner eight-year-old.” She also included Taylor Swift’s song “The Way I Loved You” as the background music, giving a cheerful thumbs up to the viral trend.
This wholesome moment offers a way for people — including celebrities — to look back at their journey, appreciate how far they have come, and reconnect with their childhood dreams and innocence.
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt is busy preparing for the release of her next big film, Alpha. The movie is scheduled to release in theatres on December 25, 2025, and fans are eagerly waiting to see Alia in her new avatar.
The “hug my younger self” trend is not just a viral social media wave but also a beautiful reminder of self-reflection, acceptance, and the importance of staying connected to our past. Alia’s participation has only added to the charm of this heartwarming trend.