Bengaluru’s bustling Church Street witnessed a dramatic scene on Wednesday evening after German influencer Younes Zarou, who boasts over 21 million Instagram followers, posted an impromptu message announcing his visit. The simple message — “Church Street, we are coming” — triggered a flood of fans to the popular public spot, resulting in a massive, unregulated gathering of nearly 2,000 people. As the crowd surged, Bengaluru police were alerted and had to intervene swiftly to ensure public safety, ultimately escorting Zarou out of the area.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Hakay confirmed that the situation escalated quickly, making it challenging to extract the influencer from the densely packed crowd. “We received a call at around 4pm and immediately deployed a team. By the time we reached, thousands had already gathered. Fortunately, we were able to escort Mr. Zarou out safely,” said Hakay. The police clarified that no formal complaint or case was filed, but the influencer was advised to avoid public appearances without prior permissions and security arrangements.

This isn’t the first time Church Street has been the center of an unsanctioned celebrity appearance. Earlier this year, British pop star Ed Sheeran was also stopped from performing spontaneously at the same location. The latest incident has once again raised questions about crowd management, the unpredictability of influencer-driven public gatherings, and the need for clearer regulations in urban public spaces. As digital personalities command growing real-world influence, local authorities may need to reassess how such visits are planned and controlled.