Wamiqa Gabbi turns an AI-generated retro image into a joke
Wamiqa Gabbi has remained a major talking point online following the release of DC, her film with director Arun Matheswaran and actor Lokesh Kanagaraj.
Her portrayal of a sex worker who fights against injustice has attracted considerable attention among audiences, particularly in South India.
The character’s combination of violence and charm has also inspired a wave of internet memes. Images of Gabbi’s character carrying a gun became popular, with social media users jokingly describing her as “cute” and “pookie” despite the character’s violent circumstances.
The online conversation took another turn this week when AI-generated images depicting Gabbi in an 1980s-inspired look began circulating.
Gabbi shared one such image herself on Thursday and joked that the retro version did not look particularly different from her real appearance.
She described herself as an “every era kind of girl”, playing along with the trend. The joke also resonated with the film’s visual style, which uses period-inspired costumes and imagery.
The conversation around DC took another turn after Sun Pictures announced that producer Kalanithi Maran had gifted BMW cars to director Arun Matheswaran, actor Lokesh Kanagaraj and composer Anirudh following the film’s commercial success.
The gesture quickly triggered debate on social media. Several users questioned why Wamiqa Gabbi, whose performance has been widely discussed, was not included among those receiving a car. Some sarcastically criticised the decision and described it as evidence of gender bias.
The debate has added another layer to the online attention surrounding the film and Gabbi’s performance. DC also marked Wamiqa’s return to Tamil cinema after her appearance in the “Ninaivo Oru Paravai” segment of the 2023 anthology series Modern Love Chennai.
Fans of the actor may not have to wait long for another Tamil release. Her upcoming film Genie, which also stars Ravi Mohan, is expected to arrive on screens soon.