I assume you want a uniform look and feel for your application. In which case page templates are always global, not linked to a module or a controller in a module, but defined at the theme level.
Like you would have with CMS applications, you have different templates (2 columns, 3 columns, with- and without footer section, etc). The sections of the template are filled with partials. Some will be assigned central as well (for example in your base controller's before), like a header, footer, menu, etc. some will be assigned by controller method (either directly called or by HMVC).
In this system the controller never has to worry about templates or layouts, a controller method sets a theme partial (in case of a directly called controller) or returns a view (in case of an HMVC call). It is not aware of it's surroundings.