In a new controversy, Kannada producer Pushkara Mallikarjunaiah has accused the makers of Hi Nanna, starring Natural Star Nani, of copying his 2020 Kannada film Bheema Sena Nala Maharaja. Hi Nanna, a family drama directed by Shouryuv, was released on December 7, 2023, and became a massive hit. However, Mallikarjunaiah, known for his work on popular Kannada films like Avane Srimannarayana and Kirik Party, took to Instagram to express his concerns.

Mallikarjunaiah suggested that there were striking similarities between both films, especially the storyline where the hero narrates a story to the heroine, with a child playing an important role. However, he clarified that while both films share common themes, including love stories and the heroine forgetting her past, this does not necessarily mean Hi Nanna is a direct copy. Despite defending the film's concept, Mallikarjunaiah was critical of calling Nani's performance "cheap" and emphasized that such accusations were uncalled for.