The Star Plus mythological series Mahabharat, which aired from 2013 to 2014, remains one of the most ambitious television productions in Indian history, reportedly made on a budget exceeding ₹100 crore. Among its standout performances was Pooja Sharma as Draupadi, a role that brought her widespread recognition and established her as a prominent face in television mythology dramas.

Before landing this iconic role, Pooja Sharma had already appeared in several TV projects, including Teri Meri Prem Kahani and Pavitra Rishta, but it was Mahabharat that became her major breakthrough. Interestingly, reports suggest that she was initially hesitant during the casting process and only auditioned after repeated insistence, eventually being finalized for the role of Draupadi.

In terms of remuneration, industry reports indicate that Pooja Sharma was paid approximately ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per episode for her role in the series. While this was a strong figure for television at the time, it was significantly lower than senior actors in the show, some of whom reportedly charged up to ₹2 lakh per episode.

Despite the difference in pay scale, her portrayal of Draupadi earned her critical appreciation and strong audience connection. The success of Mahabharat also opened new opportunities for her in the mythological genre, where she went on to portray other powerful roles such as Sati, Parvati, and Mahakali, further strengthening her image in devotional and historical storytelling.

Overall, while Pooja Sharma may not have been among the highest-paid actors in the series, her performance as Draupadi became one of the defining highlights of the show and remains widely remembered by audiences even today.