No market, no bank, no internet: Actor Madhavan is fascinated by man who chose to live alone in Amazon rainforest for 38 years

It is never a dull day for fans when actor Madhavan shares something on social media. The Dhurandhar 2 star, who was last seen in the Tamil biographical drama GDN, recently posted an intriguing video on his Instagram Stories, featuring a man from Brazil named Chico who has been living alone in the Amazon rainforest for over 38 years. His rural lifestyle features hunting for food, growing his own produce and collecting rainwater for a unique and self-sufficient life away from modern conveniences.

Not long ago, Yes Theory, a popular digital media brand and YouTube channel founded by 4 strangers from different continents, Thomas Brag, Ammar Kandil, Matt Dajer, and Derin Emre, in 2015, posted a video on the platform, documenting the interview with Chico. The group travelled through the Amazon River, venturing deep into the rainforest to meet the man who gave up on city luxuries.

A peek into Chico’s life in Amazon rainforest

Apprehensive at first, the Yes Theory team finally relaxed when they stepped inside Chico’s rustic home and received a warm welcome. Chico revealed that he had hunted and cooked a wild pig for the guests. During the conversation, the team learned that Chico had planted as many as 1500 Brazil nut trees during his 38-year-long stay in the forest.


With no access to supermarkets, banks, or online delivery modes, Chico depends on rainwater for drinking and a natural food supply. Since there’s no electricity, refrigerators and freezers are of no use. But Chico keeps meat preserved with salt. But Chico is also well-aware of the dangers that come with living in a forest. He told the Yes Theory team that there are snakes to be wary of alongside jaguars, caimans, and piranhas.

Why Chico lives in Amazon rainforest and key learnings from his lifestyle

When asked why Chico chose to give away the comfort of city life, the team of expeditors did not receive a concrete answer but learned that it was related to his past. He has not seen his children for a long time, and his solitude could likely represent a form of self-imposed punishment or a certain emotional weight that Chico was not ready to share.

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The Yes Theory team also embarked on a fun canoe ride with Chico and bonded over chilled beverages. Meeting Chico, however, changed the team’s perception. Initially, they thought they were meeting a man who was lonely and isolated, but in reality they found Chico to be completely happy being alone but equally delighted to meet visitors.