Vanangaan FDFS which was supposed to begin at 9 AM IST in Tamil Nadu, had to be pushed by 2 hours, due to the non-deliverance of KDM to theaters across the state. Images of movie goers waiting outside cinema screens for Vanangaan had started floating the internet, when at around 11:00 AM, the issue was said to have been resolved. 

How KDM works: KDM or Key Delivery Messages are sent to the cinema via email, and contain a special key that unlocks the encrypted DCP i.e. Digital Cinema Package. Each KDM can only be used to play one version of a movie on a specific device for a limited time. Cinema exhibitors use tools like AutoKDM and KDM-Alert to receive the key for playing the movie. 

Vanagaan still not open in kamala cinemas due to KDM issues #vanagaan @sureshkamatchi @arunvijayno1 pic.twitter.com/smPeu2m9x8

— Cheyyaru Balu (@cheyyarubalu22) January 10, 2025

Post the KDM hiccup, theater owners across Tamil Nadu notified of Vanangaan shows resuming to ticket holders and otherwise. Vanangaan marks the comeback of director Bala to theaters 7 years since Naachiyaar (2018). The movie stars Arun Vijay as a speech and hearing impaired vigilante. 

#Vanangaan in #RamCinemas Begins 💥💥 pic.twitter.com/24Vk1PzYJu

— Ram Muthuram Cinemas (@RamCinemas) January 10, 2025

#Vanangaan KDM cleared 💫@arunvijayno1 💥@sureshkamatchi ♥️

Please do watch in Theaters and support us ♥️♥️♥️#VanangaanPongal pic.twitter.com/wv4DeH0p0z

— K Sathish (@sathishoffl) January 10, 2025

A V House Productions, Vanangaan with GV Prakash for music and Sam CS for the score, has also released in overseas regions like USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Srilanka, Australia, Middle East, and Japan.