When 'Cristiano Ronaldo joined Sanju Samson' for Vishu celebrations

Dubai: AI has opened the door to wild creativity — sometimes delightful, sometimes divisive. But content creator AI Manthrikan has found a sweet spot, fusing the festive spirit of Vishu with Kerala’s sporting obsessions: cricket and football.

The proclaimed artist has merged Indian cricketer Sanju Samson and Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo in an AI-generated video that has gone viral on social media.

Dressed in traditional Malayali attire, Samson and Ronaldo are seen cooking and enjoying a Vishu Sadhya, bursting crackers, and handing out gifts to children — all part of the day’s customs.

Vishu, celebrated on April 14, marks the beginning of the Malayalam New Year and is deeply rooted in Kerala’s agricultural traditions. Symbolic of hope, prosperity, and fresh beginnings, the festival has become a fitting backdrop for this playful AI fusion of tradition and modern tech creativity.

The video, which features two of the state’s fan favourites — Samson and Ronaldo — has only added to the fun, delighting audiences across platforms. Blending humour with heartfelt tradition, the reel quickly became a fan favourite online.

AI Manthrikan is known for realising his wishes through these AI-generated creations. One of his earlier pieces featured Ronaldo holding the Fifa World Cup trophy, turning fan fantasies into virtual reality.

Like Vishu itself, the reel offered a burst of joy, a dash of nostalgia, and a hopeful look at what creativity can be when tradition meets technology.