Modi to Amitabh to Jai Ram to Vikramaditya, all drown in newfound Ghibli art fever

MANDI: In the ever-evolving landscape of social media trends, a new artistic wave has taken the world by storm — Ghibli art.

The digital transformation, inspired by the whimsical aesthetics of Studio Ghibli’s animated masterpieces, has captivated netizens, influencers, Bollywood stars and even top politicians.

What started as a niche trend among anime lovers has now become an internet-wide sensation. Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook are flooded with images of people rendered in soft, dreamlike Ghibli-style illustrations — large expressive eyes, delicate brush strokes and a surreal yet nostalgic glow.

Bollywood’s biggest names were among the first to embrace the trend. Within days, social media saw a flood of posts featuring A-list celebrities in their Ghibli avatars.

Alia Bhatt, known for her love of art and animation, shared an ethereal Ghibli-style portrait of herself, captioned: “Feels like I just walked out of a Hayao Miyazaki film!”

Shah Rukh Khan followed soon after, sharing a Ghibli-fied version of himself in his signature pose, leaving fans mesmerised.

Even veteran stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit joined in, proving that this trend isn’t just for Gen Z.

When politics meets fantasy

Surprisingly, the trend didn’t just remain within entertainment circles — it seeped into the corridors of power.

Prominent politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shared their Ghibli versions, much to the delight of followers. The post, depicting him in a serene watercolor landscape, quickly amassed millions of likes.

Rahul Gandhi’s Ghibli avatar, walking amid lush greenery, resonated with his Bharat Jodo Yatra imagery. Even global leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and UK’s Rishi Sunak were spotted sharing their dreamy, animated versions.

Himachal’s leaders join the trend

Himachal Pradesh’s political figures, too, have embraced the trend, adding a local flavor to the global phenomenon.

Jai Ram Thakur, the former Chief Minister, posted his Ghibli avatar standing amidst the lush mountains of Himachal, blending perfectly with the artistic style.

Former Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur followed suit, sharing an animated version of himself in a cricket field, reflecting his love for sports and politics.

PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, a young political face of the Congress, posted his transformation with a caption: “Politics but make it poetic!”

The BJP Himachal Pradesh wing even created an entire campaign featuring Ghibli-style illustrations of its top leaders, engaging youth in a creative way.

Munish Sood