Influencer Frenzy on Bengaluru’s Church Street: German Creator Younes Zarou (20M Followers) Detained by Police Amid Massive Crowd Chaos
Younes Zarou, a German influencer with over 20 million Instagram followers, faced Bengaluru police intervention after a large crowd gathered at Church Street
German digital creator and influencer Younes Zarou, who commands a massive following of over 20 million on Instagram, found himself in a brief run-in with Bengaluru police on Wednesday evening after his visit to Church Street attracted an unexpectedly large crowd.
The social media sensation, known globally for his eye-catching illusion videos and public stunts, had earlier announced his plan to visit Church Street through an Instagram post that read, “Church Street, we are coming.” The post went viral, prompting hundreds of fans to gather at the popular city hangout in anticipation of his arrival.
As the crowd swelled, police personnel from the Cubbon Park station were alerted and rushed to the scene. Citing public safety concerns, officers intervened and escorted Zarou away from the spot. Authorities explained that any event or gathering of such scale in a high-footfall area requires prior permission.
Months after the deadly stampede during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) victory parade, which claimed 11 lives, Bengaluru Police decided not to risk another such incident and picked up Zarou from the scene. However, he was released later as Zarou took instagram to announced that he is free now and thanked senior officers. “I am survived and I am fine. Bengaluru is not for beginners. Thanks to the police chief, without him I think I would be somewhere else now.” Zarou told on Instagram post.
Church Street, located in the heart of Bengaluru’s central business district, is a major pedestrian zone frequented by locals, tourists, and influencers alike. The incident comes just months after British pop icon Ed Sheeran was similarly stopped from performing a surprise street gig at the same location. Sheeran’s impromptu act was halted mid-performance, while singing his hit Shape of You, after police learned he had not secured permission for the public performance.
Bengaluru’s vibrant and bustling Church Street, a popular destination for foodies, fashionistas, and Instagrammers, turned into a chaotic scene on Wednesday evening as German influencer Younes Zarou, who commands a colossal following of 20 million on Instagram, was detained by the city police. The reason? A massive crowd had gathered to witness his impromptu content shoot, creating a frenzy that quickly spiraled out of control.
For those unfamiliar with the name, Younes Zarou, a 26-year-old content creator from Germany, is widely known across social media for his creative optical illusion videos, behind-the-scenes reels, and vibrant short-form content. His Instagram presence is massive, with 20 million+ followers, and he’s equally popular on platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Zarou is a global phenomenon, often performing live tricks in public spaces, turning everyday environments into visually captivating productions.
This time, however, his creativity clashed with real-world concerns — public safety and law enforcement regulations in India.
Zarou had been teasing his followers about an “India tour,” and Bengaluru was one of the planned stops. Without any prior coordination with city authorities, he arrived at Church Street for a public shoot. Word spread quickly — thanks to local influencers and live Instagram updates — drawing hundreds of fans within minutes.
As the crowd swelled, traffic on Church Street and nearby MG Road came to a halt. The footpaths were flooded, mobile phones were raised in the air, and fans climbed rooftops and lamp posts to get a glimpse of the internet sensation.
Witnesses described the scene as “unreal” and “chaotic.” Some were heard chanting Zarou’s name while others pushed forward for selfies and autographs. With no crowd control in place, the atmosphere quickly turned unsafe.
The Bengaluru City Police intervened around 6:30 PM IST after the situation showed no signs of slowing down. Officers issued multiple warnings to disperse the crowd, but fans continued swarming the location. With public safety at risk, authorities detained Younes Zarou under Section 144 of the CrPC (unlawful assembly) and violations of public nuisance laws.
He was escorted to Cubbon Park Police Station, not under arrest, but for questioning regarding the unauthorized crowd gathering. Officials confirmed that no FIR has been lodged yet, but future legal action is being evaluated.
According to DCP Central Division:
“We have nothing against content creation, but such large-scale gatherings without prior permission pose significant safety hazards. He should’ve coordinated with the civic bodies.”
Shortly after the news broke, the incident trended across all major social media platforms in India and internationally. Hashtags like #YounesZarou, #ChurchStreetFrenzy, and #BangaloreInfluencerNews began trending on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.
Zarou later posted a short video from his hotel room, thanking fans for the love and promising to be “more careful moving forward.” He added,
“India, you are amazing. But I didn’t expect this much energy! I’ll make sure to plan things better.”
This incident has reignited debates about the responsibilities of influencers with massive followings, especially when operating in foreign countries. Social media creators, unlike traditional celebrities, often bypass formal permissions and security planning, assuming their shoots won’t draw large crowds — a dangerous miscalculation.
In India, especially in metros like Bengaluru, public places require permits for filming, particularly if large gatherings are expected. With content creators now rivaling Bollywood stars in influence, law enforcement agencies are considering stricter enforcement of digital crowd control.
