Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Shashi Tharoor Joins ChatGPT 1980s Trend With Real Photos
Shashi Tharoor joined a popular internet trend about making 1980s-style pictures.
Instead of creating new AI images, he shared photographs he said were really taken in the 1980s.
His sons Ishaan and Kanishk appeared in some of the pictures.
Many people online praised how stylish and handsome he looked.
Some compared him with famous Bollywood and television personalities.
Other users wondered whether the pictures had been made using AI.
The trend lets people turn modern photos into pictures that look like they came from the 1980s.
People should be careful about privacy when uploading personal photos to ChatGPT.
Shashi Tharoor shared photographs from the 1980s with sons Ishaan and Kanishk on X and Instagram.
Tharoor said he was joining the AI trend “the old-fashioned way” by posting photographs from the actual decade.
Many commenters praised his retro style, appearance and lasting appeal, with some comparing him to Bollywood stars.
Some users questioned whether the images were genuine or AI-generated because of similarities in facial expressions.
The trend involves using ChatGPT to transform photos with 1980s clothing, hairstyles, lighting and retro aesthetics.
- Who
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and his sons, Ishaan Tharoor and Kanishk Tharoor.
- What
- Tharoor shared photographs he described as genuine 1980s images while joining a viral ChatGPT photo trend.
- When
- The photographs are from the 1980s; the article does not specify when the posts were published.
- Where
- On X and Instagram.
- Why
- To participate in the viral 1980s AI-photo trend while sharing photographs from the actual decade.
Photos Are Authentic
Images May Be AI-Generated
Authenticity of the photographs
Photos Are Authentic
Tharoor said the pictures were from the actual 1980s, and several commenters welcomed them as genuine photographs.
Images May Be AI-Generated
Some social media users questioned whether the images were AI-generated, citing similar facial expressions in the pictures.
Need to Follow the Trend
Photos Are Authentic
Supporters said Tharoor already embodied the trend and needed little artificial enhancement, praising his retro style and appearance.
Images May Be AI-Generated
Other users treated the posts as part of the broader AI-photo trend and compared the images with generated retro portraits.
- Participants
- Shashi Tharoor, Ishaan Tharoor and Kanishk Tharoor
- Platforms
- X and Instagram
- Photograph period
- The 1980s
- Tharoor’s description
- He said the images were photographs from the actual decade.
- Online reaction
- Users posted compliments, film comparisons, jokes and doubts about the images’ authenticity.
- Trend format
- Users upload photos to ChatGPT and request 1980s clothing, hairstyles, lighting and aesthetics.
- Privacy consideration
- The article advises caution because uploaded photos may involve personal data and service data policies.